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Definition of pantomime - 3 dictionary results

pan⋅to⋅mime

  [pan-tuh-mahym] noun, verb, -mimed, -mim⋅ing.
Use pantomime in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
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.
Cite This Source Link To pantomime
pan·to·mime   (pān'tə-mīm')   
n.  

  1. Communication by means of gesture and facial expression: Some tourists make themselves understood abroad by pantomime.

    1. The telling of a story without words, by means of bodily movements, gestures, and facial expressions.

    2. A play, dance, or other theatrical performance characterized by such wordless storytelling.

    3. An ancient Roman theatrical performance in which one actor played all the parts by means of gesture and movement, accompanied by a narrative chorus.

    4. A player in such a performance.

  3. A traditional British Christmas entertainment for children, usually based on nursery tales and featuring stock characters in costume who sing, dance, and perform skits.

v.   pan·to·mimed, pan·to·mim·ing, pan·to·mimes

v.   tr.
To represent or express by pantomime: pantomine a story on the stage; pantomimed "baby" by cradling an imaginary infant.
v.   intr.
To express oneself in pantomime.

[Latin pantomīmus, a pantomimic actor, from Greek pantomīmos : panto-, all (from pās, pant-; see pan-) + mīmos, mime.]
pan'to·mim'ic (-mĭm'ĭk) adj., pan'to·mim'ist (-mī'mĭst) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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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