noun / verb
pantomime
PAN-tuh-myme/ˈpæntəmaɪm/
Expression through gestures and movement rather than speech.
The performer’s pantomime suggests an invisible wall.
Etymology
The pieces give “imitator of all,” originally naming an actor. In English, the word first named a performer who communicated through action rather than words, then shifted to the wordless performance itself.
In context
going into his pantomime of the homeless mute seeking employment the master of the repair shop merely laughed at him however rodka became more insistent in his manner making signs to indicate his hunger and willingness to work
More examples
- She pantomimed opening a stubborn door.
- The actor’s pantomime required no spoken explanation.
- The children guessed the action from his pantomime.
Forms
pantomime · pantomimes · pantomimed · pantomiming