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pantomime

[pan-tuh-mahym]
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noun

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.

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RELATED WORDS

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

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

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British Dictionary definitions for pantomime

pantomime

noun

(in Britain)
  1. a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokesSometimes shortened to: panto
  2. (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
n.

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.

v.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper