I. ˈmīm also ˈmēm noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin mimus, from Greek mimos; akin to Greek mimeisthai to imitate, represent
1.
a. : an actor in a mime
b. : one that practices the modern art of mime
2. : one (as a jester, mimic, clown, or buffoon) that performs in ways resembling or held to resemble a performer in a mime
3.
a. : a Greek and Roman dramatic entertainment representing scenes from life usually in a ridiculous manner
b. : a modern form of dramatic entertainment resembling or held to resemble the Greek and Roman mime
4. : an imitation done in or as if in a mime
a perfect mime of his performance
5. : the art of creating and portraying a character or of narration by body movement (as by realistic and symbolic gestures)
the use of mime to tell out a story is not uncommon in Polynesia — American Anthropologist
almost entirely musical on the sound track, the action being in mime — John Huntley
6. : a performance of mime
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to act as a mime : play a part with mimic gesture and action usually without words
mimed with all his well-known sensitiveness and power — Phyllis W. Manchester & Iris Morley
transitive verb
1. : mimic
his peons loyally mimed extreme fright — Kenneth Tynan
he mimed outrage, batting his … hands together and stamping like a wrestler — A.J.Liebling
2. : to act out in the manner of a mime
the warrior mimes the slaying of an enemy — H.B.Alexander
dancers mime the stories of the ancient myths while singers chant — Atlantic