The spelling of the word "bantams" is straightforward once you understand the pronunciation. It is pronounced as /ˈbæn.təmz/ (ban-tuhmz) and refers to a breed of small chicken. The word originates from the Indonesian word "ayam kate" meaning "forest chicken". The spelling of "bantams" may be confusing as it appears to have the letter "n" pronounced twice, but the "n" and "t" sounds are blended together in speech. This spelling follows the phonetic rules of English language and makes the word easy to recognize and pronounce.
Bantams refer to a particular breed of small-sized chickens that are often known for their diminutive size. The term "bantam" can also be used more broadly to describe any small or miniature version of a particular animal or object. However, when specifically referring to chickens, bantams are recognized as a distinct breed with unique characteristics.
Dictionary Definition:
"bantams" (noun)
1. A breed of small-sized chickens that typically weigh less than 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms) and are often known for their ornamental qualities. Bantams come in various color variations and have compact bodies with shorter legs than standard-sized chickens. They are often kept as pets or for exhibition purposes due to their attractive appearance and docile temperament.
2. Any small or miniature version of an animal or object, resembling the qualities or characteristics of bantam chickens. This term can also be used metaphorically to describe something or someone of small or diminutive size in a comparative context.
Example Sentences:
1. "She chose to raise bantams in her backyard as they required less space and were easier to handle than standard-sized chickens."
2. "The toy poodle was a bantam version of the regular poodle breed, with its miniature size making it popular among apartment dwellers."
3. "He may be small in stature, but his talent on the basketball court is bantam; he can outplay opponents twice his size."
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bantams" is derived from the name of a province in Indonesia known as Banten. Banten was a thriving trading and shipping center in the 17th century and was known for its small chickens. When Europeans encountered these small chickens, they referred to them as "bantams" after the province from which they were believed to have originated. Over time, the term "bantam" became associated with any small or miniature variety of chicken.