Nearby Words

pantomime

[pan-tuh-mahym] Example Sentences Origin

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.

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Pantomime is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
verb (used without object)
7.
to express oneself in pantomime.

Origin:
1580–90; earlier pantomimus < Latin < Greek 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. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To pantomime
Example Sentences
  • Sometimes they pantomime the copious drinking of wine.
  • One at a time, have volunteers stand and pantomime each shape.
  • Even their warfare was a weary pantomime.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
pantomime (ˈpæntəˌmaɪm)
 
n
1.  in Britain
 a.  Sometimes shortened to: panto a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokes
 b.  (as modifier): a pantomime horse
2.  a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions
3.  action without words as a means of expression
4.  (in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show
5.  informal chiefly (Brit) a confused or farcical situation
 
vb
6.  another word for mime
 
[C17: via Latin from Greek pantomīmos; see panto-, mime]
 
pantomimic
 
adj
 
pantomimist
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
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
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songs and stock characters, are attested by this name from 1739; said to have originated c.1717.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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