pantomime

[ pan-tuh-mahym ]

noun

1. the art or technique of conveying emotions, actions, feelings, etc., by gestures without speech.
2. a play or entertainment in which the performers express themselves mutely by gestures, often to the accompaniment of music.
3. significant gesture without speech.
4. an actor in dumb show, as in ancient Rome.
5. 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.

1. to represent or express in pantomime.

verb (used without object)

, pan·to·mimed, pan·to·mim·ing.

1. to express oneself in pantomime.

pantomime

/ ˈpæntəˌmaɪm; ˌpæntəˈmɪmɪk; ˈpæntəˌmaɪmɪst /

noun

1. in Britain
   1. a kind of play performed at Christmas time characterized by farce, music, lavish sets, stock roles, and topical jokes Sometimes shortened topanto
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pantomime horse

2. a theatrical entertainment in which words are replaced by gestures and bodily actions
3. action without words as a means of expression
4. (in ancient Rome) an actor in a dumb show
5. informal.
   a confused or farcical situation

verb

1. another word for mime

Derived Forms

• pantomimic, adjective
• pantomimist, noun

Other Words From

• pan·to·mim·ic [pan-t, uh, -, mim, -ik], panto·mimi·cal adjective
• panto·mimi·cal·ly adverb
• panto·mimic·ry noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pantomime¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pantomime¹

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

Example Sentences

While Putin may relish the role of world’s pantomime villain, Xi still clings to the notion that a resurgent China is a force for good.

From Time

Harjo educated Oprah Winfrey and the 12 million people watching her talk show about the true provenance of a pantomime called the “tomahawk chop.”

From Washington Post

The death is real, and yet the movements seem like a pantomime, awkward and inadequate.

From MIT Technology Review

Sharp did lots of school plays, which led to a role in amateur operetta, then professional pantomime.

From The Daily Beast

So I watched him pantomime skating, and I thought well if he can do it, I can do it.

From The Daily Beast

A pantomime horse plays a role, as does a sardonic hand puppet.

From The Daily Beast

“Grimaldi was pantomime,” writes Andrew McConnell Scott in his biography, The Pantomime Life of Joseph Grimaldi.

From The Daily Beast

In dramatic interpretation the voice is a much more significant feature relatively than is the detail of gesture in pantomime.

From Project Gutenberg

She tried a pantomime of washing her hands, but to the boy she had appeared to be merely wringing them.

From Project Gutenberg

The professional and amateur stage rights on this pantomime are strictly reserved by the author.

From Project Gutenberg

The description of the stroke dealt by Mr. Adams's wife did not account for this peculiar feature in Bartow's pantomime.

From Project Gutenberg

The English excel in pantomime as much as the French in comedy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ape
• look like
• mirror
• resemble
• simulate