pantomime

(pănˈtə-mīmˌ)

1. Communication by means of gesture and facial expression: Some tourists make themselves understood abroad by pantomime.
2. a. The telling of a story without words, by means of bodily movements, gestures, and facial expressions.
   b. A play, dance, or other theatrical performance characterized by such wordless storytelling.
   c. An ancient Roman theatrical performance in which one actor played all the parts by means of gesture and movement, accompanied by a narrative chorus.
   d. A player in such a performance.
3. A traditional British Christmas entertainment for children, usually based on nursery tales and featuring stock characters in costume who sing, dance, and perform skits.

Related Forms:

• panˌto·mimˈic (-mĭmˈĭk) adjective

• panˌto·mimˈist (-mīˌmĭst) noun