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christmas pantomime

 - 3 dictionary results

pan⋅to⋅mime

[pan-tuh-mahym] noun, verb, -mimed, -mim⋅ing.
–noun
1. the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
2. a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
3. significant gesture without speech.
4. an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
5. Also called Christmas pantomime. a form of theatrical spectacle common in England during the Christmas season, generally adapted from a fairy tale and including stock character types who perform songs and dances, tell jokes, etc.
–verb (used with object)
6. to represent or express in pantomime.
–verb (used without object)
7. to express oneself in pantomime.

Origin:
1580–90; earlier pantomimus < L < Gk pantómīmos. See panto-, mime


pan⋅to⋅mim⋅ic [pan-tuh-mim-ik] , pan⋅to⋅mim⋅i⋅cal, adjective
pan⋅to⋅mim⋅i⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
pan⋅to⋅mim⋅ic⋅ry, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

pantomime 
1615, "mime actor," from L. pantomimus "mime, dancer," from Gk. pantomimos "actor," lit. "imitator of all," from panto- (gen. of pan) "all" + mimos "imitator." Meaning "drama or play without words" first recorded 1735. The Eng. dramatic performances so called, usually at Christmas and with words and songs and stock characters, are attested by this name from 1739; said to have originated c.1717.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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