pantomime

Meanings

Noun

• A Classical comic actor, especially one who works mainly through gesture and mime.
• The drama in ancient Greece and Rome featuring such performers; or (later) any of various kinds of performance modelled on such work.
• A traditional theatrical entertainment, originally based on the commedia dell'arte, but later aimed mostly at children and involving physical comedy, topical jokes, call and response, and fairy-tale plots.
• Gesturing without speaking; dumb-show, mime.

Verb

• To make (a gesture) without speaking.
• To entertain others by silent gestures or actions.

Origin

• Circa 17th century, from Latin pantomīmus, from Ancient Greek παντόμιμος, from πᾶς + μιμέομαι.