pantomime

[ pan-tuh-mahym ]

/ ˈpæn təˌmaɪm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pantomime ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.

a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.

significant gesture without speech.

an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.

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), pan·to·mimed, pan·to·mim·ing.

to represent or express in pantomime.

verb (used without object), pan·to·mimed, pan·to·mim·ing.

to express oneself in pantomime.

Nearby words

pantofle, pantograph, pantographer, pantographic, pantology, pantomime, pantomimist, pantomogram, pantonal, pantonality, pantothenate

Origin of pantomime

1580–90; earlier pantomimus < Latin < Greek pantómīmos. See panto-, mime

Related formspan·to·mim·ic

[pan-tuh-mim-ik] /ˌpæn təˈmɪm ɪk/, pan·to·mim·i·cal, adjectivepan·to·mim·i·cal·ly, adverbpan·to·mim·ic·ry, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pantomime

So I watched him pantomime skating, and I thought well if he can do it, I can do it.
Emmys 2013: Julie Bowen’s Favorite ‘Modern Family’ Moments (VIDEO)|Julie Bowen|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A pantomime horse plays a role, as does a sardonic hand puppet.
‘Family Tree’ Brings Christopher Guest’s Mockumentary Style to HBO|Jace Lacob|May 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Grimaldi was pantomime,” writes Andrew McConnell Scott in his biography, The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi.
The Best of Brit Lit|Peter Stothard|February 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Pantomime donkey is at least, we are told, 200 years old.
A History of Pantomime|R. J. Broadbent

Directions as to how these motions should be made would hardly be helpful; the dancers can best plan this pantomime.
Indian Games and Dances with Native Songs|Alice C. Fletcher
She was staging a pantomime of excessive delight, noiselessly clapping her thin brown hands.
The Wrong Twin|Harry Leon Wilson
Some of his posters have become difficult to procure, notably one designed for a Drury Lane pantomime some few years since.
Picture Posters|Charles Hiatt
The English pantomime even in Thackeray's day had fallen from its once high place.
The Circus, and Other Essays and Fugitive Pieces|Joyce Kilmer

British Dictionary definitions for pantomime

pantomime

/ (ˈpæntəˌmaɪm) /

noun

(in Britain)

a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokesSometimes shortened to: panto
(as modifier)a pantomime horse

a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions

action without words as a means of expression

(in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show

informal, mainly British a confused or farcical situation

verb

another word for mime (def. 5)

Derived Formspantomimic (ˌpæntəˈmɪmɪk), adjectivepantomimist (ˈpæntəˌmaɪmɪst), noun

Word Origin for pantomime

C17: via Latin from Greek pantomīmos; see panto-, mime

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for pantomime (1 of 2)

pantomime

1610s, "mime actor," from Latin pantomimus "mime, dancer," from Greek pantomimos "actor," literally "imitator of all," from panto- (genitive of pan) "all" (see pan-) + mimos "imitator" (see mime (n.)).

Meaning "drama or play without words" first recorded 1735. The English 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. Related: Pantomimic; pantomimical.

Word Origin and History for pantomime (1 of 2)

pantomime

1768, from pantomime (n.). Related: Pantomimed; pantomiming.

pantomime

.css-1gxch3{color:#1a1a1a;font-size:18px;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;}noun

verb (used without object), pan·to·mimed, pan·to·mim·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of pantomime

Examples from the Web for pantomime

British Dictionary definitions for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} pantomime

pantomime

noun

verb

Word Origin for pantomime

Word Origin and History for pantomime (1 of 2)

pantomime

Word Origin and History for pantomime (1 of 2)

pantomime

noun

British Dictionary definitions for pantomime