mime
pronunciation
How to pronounce mime in British English:
UK [maɪm]
How to pronounce mime in American English:
US [maɪm]
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- Noun:
- an actor who communicates entirely by gesture and facial expression
- a performance using gestures and body movements without words
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- Verb:
- imitate (a person, a manner, etc.), especially for satirical effect
- act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
Word Origin
- mime
- mime: [17] Greek mimos meant ‘imitator’, and hence ‘actor’. English took it over via Latin mīmus, and lost no time in turning it into a verb. The derived Greek adjective mīmikós has given English mimic [16], and other related forms include mimeograph [19], so called because it copies things, and mimosa [18], named from its tendency to curl up when touched, as if in ‘imitation’ of animal behaviour. The compound pantomime means etymologically ‘complete mime’.=> mimeograph, mimosa, pantomime
- mime (n.)
- c. 1600, "a buffoon who practices gesticulations" [Johnson], from French mime (16c.) and directly from Latin mimus, from Greek mimos "imitator, mimic, actor, mime, buffoon," of unknown origin. In reference to a performance, 1640s in a classical context; 1932 as "a pantomime."
- mime (v.)
- 1610s, "to act without words," from mime (n.). The transferred sense of "to imitate" is from 1733 (Greek mimeisthai meant "to imitate"). Meaning "to pretend to be singing a pre-recorded song" is from 1965. Related: mimed; miming.
Example
- 1. One day an out of work mime is visiting the zoo and attempts to earn some money as a street performer .
- 2. At the end of the day the zookeeper comes and gives the mime a raise for being such a good attraction as a gorilla .
- 3. I take the words from a late book on the so-called art of the mime by the editor of a magazine devoted to the stage .
- 4. Finally , the mime starts screaming and yelling , " help , help me ! " , But the lion is quick and pounces .
- 5. The mime soon finds himself flat on his back looking up at the angry lion and the lion says , " shut up you idiot ! Do you want to get us both fired ? "