mime

American  

[mahym, meem] / maɪm, mim /

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.

6. a jester, clown, or comedian.

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verb (used with object)

mimed, miming

1. to mimic.

2. to act in mime.

verb (used without object)

mimed, miming

1. to play a part by mime or mimicry.

mime ¹ British  

/ 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 called: mime artist.  a performer specializing in such a technique, esp a comic actor

3. a dramatic presentation using such a technique

4. 1. a comic performance depending for effect largely on exaggerated gesture and physical action

   2. an actor in such a performance

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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 British  

abbreviation

1. multipurpose internet mail extensions

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Other Word Forms

• mimer noun

Etymology

Origin of mime

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

Example Sentences

He mimed falling asleep at the question and said he hadn’t heard about it.

From Salon

The fella went through a whole physical routine, miming that she should let down the rope so he could climb up.

From Literature

“It’s called butterfly effect. Epstein was the first domino,” he says, miming dominoes falling.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet, these supposedly most-promising stars are mostly hapless wannabes leaning on their skills in nunchucks and mime.

From Los Angeles Times

Ma enjoyed the singing but clearly felt foolish in her feeble miming.

From Literature

Related Words

• comedian