pantomime Hear it!

pantomime Definition

pan·to·mime (pantə mīm′)

noun

  1. in ancient Rome
    1. an actor who played his part by gestures and action without words
    2. a drama played in action and gestures to the accompaniment of music or of words sung by a chorus
    1. any dramatic presentation played without words, using only action and gestures
    2. the art of acting in this way
  2. action or gestures without words as a means of expression
  3. in England, a type of entertainment presented at Christmastime, ending in a harlequinade

Etymology: L pantomimus < Gr pantomimos < pantos (see panto-) + mimos, a mimic, actor

adjective

of or like pantomime

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·mimed′, -·mim′·ing

to express or act in pantomime

pantomime Related Forms

pan′·to·mimic (-mimik) adjective pan·to·mim′·ist (-mīm′ist) noun

pantomime Synonyms

pantomime

n.

sign, sign language, dumb show, mimicry, play without words, acting without speech, charade, mime; see also parody.

pantomime Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • perform: As the characters unite to try to perform a pantomime, the action becomes manic.
  • write: He has recently written a pantomime for the local players.
  • watch: I have been forced to watch this pantomime, whilst I gather my forces.
  • produce: The theater also produces a highly successful pantomime that brings festive entertainment to thousands of families each year.
  • enjoy: Last year's production of Cinderella broke all box office records with over 21,500 people enjoying the pantomime.
  • see: Treasure Island panto Thank you to everyone who came to see the pantomime ' Treasure Island ' in the Village Hall in December.

Adjective modifier

  • traditional: It's a family show with all the magic of a traditional pantomime.
  • annual: The lengths to which some people will go to avoid the annual pantomime... !
  • spectacular: Find out the answers to all these silly questions - in York Theater Royal's spectacular new pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
  • English: The two golden rules of writing an English pantomime 1.
  • successful: The UK's most successful pantomime of 2001/02 Babes in the Wood at the Kings Theater in Glasgow starring Elaine C Smith.
  • popular: The Edwardian Lyceum theater, which today still hosts many top shows and the annual and very popular pantomime, was refurbished in 1911.

Modifies a noun

  • dame: Music hall actor well known for his pantomime dame roles.
  • villain: The script calls for a pantomime villain, a shadow that occasionally becomes solid.
  • Cinderella: In 2000, I was a dancer in the chorus of the pantomime Cinderella.
  • clown: Thereâs something of the pantomime clown about him with his fake Italian accent ( does anyone know why he does this?
  • camel: The time they are aiming to beat as Camella, the pantomime camel, is 4 hours 36 mins.
  • cow: Protesters, including a pantomime cow, handed out warning leaflets to shoppers.

Noun used with modifier

  • village: The village pantomime is also a great addition to the celebrations; there is some amazing talent out there.
  • family: This year's family pantomime will be PETER PAN ( 16th Dec 15th Jan ).

Browse dictionary entries near pantomime

  1. pantograph
  2. pantofle
  3. panto-
  4. panto
  5. panting
  6. pantile
  7. pantihose
  8. panties
  9. panther
  10. pantheon
  1. pantothenate
  2. pantothenic acid
  3. pantry
  4. pants
  5. pantsuit
  6. panty
  7. panty girdle
  8. pantyhose
  9. pantywaist
  10. Panurge