I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adjective
Etymology: dead pan
1. : having or communicated with an assumed air of earnestness or gravity
deadpan humor
an infinitely irritating deadpan mockery
a deadpan elegy on a turtle
2.
a. : marked by complete absence of expression or mobility : wooden , stolid
a deadpan face
gave his accusers a deadpan stare
b. : giving no sign of emotional or personal commitment or involvement
a deadpan presentation of concentration-camp horrors
a deadpan narrative style
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adverb
: in a deadpan manner : with deadpan absence of expression
played his role completely deadpan
III. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ intransitive verb
: to maintain a deadpan manner : act in a deadpan manner
deadpanned throughout the whole play
transitive verb
: to speak or write in a deadpan manner