Mime

Mime

Noun / Verb · /maɪm/

Definition

(Noun) the theatrical technique of using bodily movement and gesture without words to express character, emotion, or narrative; a performer who uses this technique; a form of silent theatrical performance; (Verb) to use gesture and movement without words; to lip-sync to recorded sound.

Origin

From Latin mimus, from Greek mimos (imitator, mime performer), related to mimeisthai (to imitate). The same Greek root gives mimic, mimicry, mimesis, and the word mimosa (from the plant's apparent imitation of animal movement). Mime as a theatrical form has roots in ancient Greek and Roman theatre, where it described broad popular performance styles. The modern concept of silent expressive mime was particularly developed by Jean-Louis Barrault in France and Marcel Marceau, who became the most celebrated mime artist of the 20th century.