pantomime (n.)
1610s, "mime actor, one who expresses meaning by action, not words," from Latin pantomimus "mime, dancer," from Greek pantomimos "actor," literally "imitator of all," from panto- (genitive of pan) "all" (see pan-) + mimos "imitator" (see mime (n.)).
The original sense is archaic or obsolete. The meaning "drama or play without words," in which the plot is expressed by mute gestures, is recorded by 1735. The English dramatic performances so called, usually produced at Christmas and with words and songs and stock characters, are attested by this name from 1739; said to have originated c. 1717. Related: Pantomimic; pantomimical.
pantomime (v.)
1746, "representing only in mute action; 1768, "express by actions, not words," from pantomime (n.). Related: Pantomimed; pantomiming.
updated on January 03, 2020
Dictionary entries near pantomime
pantheon
panther
panties
panting
pantisocracy
pantomime
pantophobia
pantothenic
pantry
pants
pantsuit