pantomime Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a performance using gestures and body movements without words
    mime; dumb show.
  2. verb act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only
    mime.
    • The acting students mimed eating an apple

WordNet

Pan"to*mime noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. pantomimus, Gr. , lit., all-imitating; , , all + to imitate: cf. It. pantomimo. See Mimic.
Definitions
  1. A universal mimic; an actor who assumes many parts; also, any actor. Obs.
  2. One who acts his part by gesticulation or dumb show only, without speaking; a pantomimist.
    [He] saw a pantomime perform so well that he could follow the performance from the action alone. Tylor.
  3. A dramatic representation by actors who use only dumb show; hence, dumb show, generally.
  4. A dramatic and spectacular entertainment of which dumb acting as well as burlesque dialogue, music, and dancing by Clown, Harlequin, etc., are features.
Pan"to*mime adjective
Definitions
  1. Representing only in mute actions; pantomimic; as, a pantomime dance.

Webster 1913