ventriloquism

[ ven-tril-uh-kwiz-uh m ]

/ vɛnˈtrɪl əˌkwɪz əm /

noun

the art or practice of speaking, with little or no lip movement, in such a manner that the voice does not appear to come from the speaker but from another source, as from a wooden dummy.

Nearby words

Origin of ventriloquism

1790–1800; ventriloqu(y) (< Medieval Latin ventriloquium, equivalent to Late Latin ventriloqu(us) a ventriloquist (ventri- ventri- + -loquus, derivative of loquī to speak) + -ium -ium) + -ism

Also called ven·tril·o·quy

[ven-tril-uh-kwee] /vɛnˈtrɪl ə kwi/.

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

Examples from the Web for ventriloquism

And if I'm not actually alive, Kurt could bring my urnful of ashes and do ventriloquism.
Requiem for a Tough Guy|Kurt Andersen|June 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"That is a fine piece of ventriloquism, any way you look at it," said he.
The Shadow World|Hamlin Garland
He executed all he knew, and then treated them to some ventriloquism, which was not good, but delighted them nevertheless.
Belford's Magazine, Vol 2, December 1888|Various
Ventriloquism was an art often practised in Egypt, and perhaps invented there.
History Of Egypt From 330 B.C. To The Present Time, Volume 11 (of 12)|S. Rappoport

They were, apparently, determined to settle the question of ventriloquism beyond any future doubt.
The Missing Link in Modern Spiritualism|A. Leah Underhill
Dodona and Delphos are now generally believed to have been simply the scene of a clever exhibition of ventriloquism.
A World of Wonders|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ventriloquism

ventriloquism

ventriloquy

/ (vɛnˈtrɪləˌkwɪzəm) /

noun

the art of producing vocal sounds that appear to come from another source

Derived Formsventriloquial (ˌvɛntrɪˈləʊkwɪəl) or ventriloqual (vɛnˈtrɪləkwəl), adjectiveventriloquially, adverbventriloquist, nounventriloquistic, adjective

Word Origin for ventriloquism

C18: from Latin venter belly + loquī to speak

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 ventriloquism

ventriloquism

1773, from ventriloquy + -ism.