mime (mīm)
n.

1. 1. A form of ancient Greek and Roman theatrical entertainment in which familiar characters and situations were farcically portrayed on stage, often with coarse dialogue and ludicrous actions.
   2. A performance of or dialogue for such an entertainment.
   3. A performer in a mime.
2. A modern performer who specializes in comic mimicry.
3. 1. The art of portraying characters and acting out situations or a narrative by gestures and body movement without the use of words; pantomime.
   2. A performance of pantomime.
   3. An actor or actress skilled in pantomime.

v., mimed, mim·ing, mimes.

v.tr.

1. To ridicule by imitation; mimic.
2. To act out with gestures and body movement.

v.intr.

1. To act as a mimic.
2. To portray characters and situations by gesture and body movement.

[Latin mīmus, from Greek mīmos.]

mimer mim'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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