maumet

[ maw-mit ]

noun

1. British Dialect.
   1. a doll, puppet, scarecrow, or other figure built to resemble a human being.
   2. an empty-headed or mindless person.
2. Obsolete. an idol; a false god.

maumet

/ ˈmɔːmɪt; ˈmæmɪt /

noun

1. obsolete.
   a false god; idol
2. dialect.
   a figure dressed up, such as a guy or scarecrow

Derived Forms

• ˈmaumetry, noun

Other Words From

• mau·met·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maumet¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French mahommet “idol,” special use of Mahommet, the Arab prophet Muhammad, whose image was mistakenly thought to be an object of worship

Word History and Origins

Origin of maumet¹

C13: from Old French mahomet idol, literally: the prophet Mohammed, from the belief that his image was worshipped

Example Sentences

Its earlier form is maumet, meaning "idol," and it is a contraction of Mahomet.

From Project Gutenberg