mime

[ mahym, meem ]

noun

1. the art or technique of portraying a character, mood, idea, or narration by gestures and bodily movements; pantomime.
2. an actor who specializes in this art.
3. an ancient Greek or Roman farce that depended for effect largely upon ludicrous actions and gestures.
4. a player in such a farce.
5. mimic ( def 4 ).
6. a jester, clown, or comedian.

verb (used with object)

, mimed, mim·ing.

1. to mimic.
2. to act in mime.

verb (used without object)

, mimed, mim·ing.

1. to play a part by mime or mimicry.

mime

¹

/ maɪm /

noun

1. the theatrical technique of expressing an idea or mood or portraying a character entirely by gesture and bodily movement without the use of words
2. Also calledmime artist a performer specializing in such a technique, esp a comic actor
3. a dramatic presentation using such a technique
4. in the classical theatre
   1. a comic performance depending for effect largely on exaggerated gesture and physical action
   2. an actor in such a performance

verb

1. to express (an idea) in actions or gestures without speech
2. (of singers or musicians) to perform as if singing (a song) or playing (a piece of music) that is actually prerecorded

MIME

²

abbreviation for

1. multipurpose internet mail extensions

Derived Forms

• ˈmimer, noun

Other Words From

• mimer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mime¹

1610–20; < Latin mīmus < Greek mîmos imitator, mime, akin to mīmeîsthai to copy, imitate

Word History and Origins

Origin of mime¹

Old English mīma, from Latin mīmus mimic actor, from Greek mimos imitator

Example Sentences

The art of mime has been around in some form for millennia, although when it comes to contemporary depictions in popular culture, mimes seem to be almost universally hated.

From Ars Technica

The narrator is 19-year-old Paige Mahoney, a Dreamwalker and the mollisher to Jaxon Hall, the powerful mime-lord of sector I-4.

From The Daily Beast

Four years from now, I expect to see the presidential debates conducted entirely in mime.

From The Daily Beast

I do this thing where I hold my breath and turn my face red right before I run across stage to mime throwing up in the trash can.

From The Daily Beast

I call him mime advisedly, because he played his part by action more than speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, the mime itself is the original form of the drama, which now takes its place beside the epic as a new form of poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

He gains the sacred hearth, converses with Mime, and finally bets him his head that he cannot answer three questions.

From Project Gutenberg

Meantime Mime, working on, brews his poisonous broth, muttering to himself about his purpose.

From Project Gutenberg

Mime and he dispute angrily: Siegfried is about to slay the dragon, the "Wurm," and the question is who is to have the gold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• comedian