mummer

[ muhm-er ]

noun

1. a person who wears a mask or fantastic costume while merrymaking or taking part in a pantomime, especially at Christmas and other festive seasons.
2. an actor, especially a pantomimist.

mummer

/ ˈmʌmə /

noun

1. one of a group of masked performers in folk play or mime
2. a mime artist
3. humorous.
   an actor

Word History and Origins

Origin of mummer¹

First recorded in 1400–50, mummer is from the late Middle English word mommer. See mum ², -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mummer¹

C15: from Old French momeur, from momer to mime; related to momon mask

Example Sentences

In them, I got my first images of what Shakespeare’s childhood must’ve looked like, and the great wagons on which the traveling mummers rode around and presented their plays.

From New York Times

The Mummers Parade, believed to be the nation’s oldest folk festival, stems from a mixture of immigrant traditions, some dating back of the 1640s, dubbed "mummer" probably from the German word for "mask."

From Fox News

The Mummers Parade, believed to be the nation’s oldest folk festival, stems from a mixture of immigrant traditions, some dating back of the 1640s, dubbed “mummer” probably from the German word for “mask.”

From Seattle Times

Henderson has referred to mummers’ costumes as a source of the hoods, but the cloth covering carries multiple and varied associations, from innocent Halloween ghost to devious criminal or torture victim.

From Los Angeles Times

The mummer of rhythm that drives “Malibu Nights” could be a lover’s heartbeat.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buffoon
• comedian
• comic
• fool
• jester
• mime
• prankster