Mummery: meaning, definitions and examples

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mummery

 

[ หˆmสŒmษ™ri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

ritual performance

Mummery refers to a type of performance that involves elaborate disguises or masks and is often characterized by a mixture of play, dance, and mime. Originally, it was associated with ancient ritualistic performances intended to celebrate certain events or deities. These performances were often held during festivals or public gatherings. The term can also imply a sense of insincerity or pretentiousness when referring to people or actions that are overly showy without genuine substance.

Synonyms

masquerade, pageantry, puppetry, theatrical performance.

Examples of usage

  • The mummery performed during the festival captivated the audience.
  • He dismissed their discussions as mere mummery, lacking any real argument.
  • Children love to participate in the traditional mummery of Halloween.
  • The historical play included scenes of mummery to represent ancient customs.

Translations

Translations of the word "mummery" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคฎเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Mummerei

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mummery

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผัƒะผะตั€ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒžใƒ ใƒชใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mummery

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mummery

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋จธ๋จธ๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูˆู…ุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mummery

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mummery

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆœจไนƒไผŠ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผัƒะผะผะตั€ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒฃแƒ›แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mummery

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mummery

Etymology

The word 'mummery' comes from the Middle English term 'mummerye', which itself draws from the word 'mummer', referring to a performer in a disguise or mask. Mummers were common in medieval England, often participating in folk plays or seasonal celebrations. The roots of 'mummer' can be traced back to the Late Latin term 'mummare', meaning 'to pretend to be a mummy', which reflects a connection to the idea of disguise and imitation. Over time, the term evolved to encompass not only the performances themselves but also a broader sense of theatricality and insincerity. In modern usage, 'mummery' can have a somewhat negative connotation, suggesting superficiality in acts that are ostentatious or lacking depth.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,315, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.