pantomime

[pan-tuh-mahym]

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.

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

Related Words for pantomime

deception, travesty, farce, nod, signal, sign, token, indication, action, reminder, expression, salute, ape, resemble, simulate, mirror, caricature, mimicry, imitation, mockery

Examples from the Web for pantomime

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
“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

Historical Examples of pantomime

A pantomime produced at Covent Garden, and published in 1778.
The Fall of British Tyranny
John Leacock
I thanked him as best I could in pantomime and approached the walls.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science September 1930
Various
"You're really like a child at a pantomime, Babs," he laughed, when they were alone.
The Education of Eric Lane
Stephen McKenna
He was the dwarf policeman in Holland's pantomime in the winter-time!
The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Harry Furniss
A mortuary, a dissecting-chamber, or a pantomime property-room?
The Confessions of a Caricaturist, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Harry Furniss

British Dictionary definitions for pantomime

pantomime

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

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.

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