mime: [17] Greek mimos meant ‘imitator’, and hence ‘a(chǎn)ctor’. English took it over via Latin mīmus, and lost no time in turning it into a verb. The derived Greek adjective mīmikós has given English mimic [16], and other related forms include mimeograph [19], so called because it copies things, and mimosa [18], named from its tendency to curl up when touched, as if in ‘imitation’ of animal behaviour. The compound pantomime means etymologically ‘complete mime’. => mimeograph, mimosa, pantomime
mime (n.)
c. 1600, "a buffoon who practices gesticulations" [Johnson], from French mime (16c.) and directly from Latin mimus, from Greek mimos "imitator, mimic, actor, mime, buffoon," of unknown origin. In reference to a performance, 1640s in a classical context; 1932 as "a pantomime."
mime (v.)
1610s, "to act without words," from mime (n.). The transferred sense of "to imitate" is from 1733 (Greek mimeisthai meant "to imitate"). Meaning "to pretend to be singing a pre-recorded song" is from 1965. Related: mimed; miming.
雙語例句
1. He can perform an astonishing variety of acts, including mime and juggling.
他能表演好幾種令人驚嘆的把戲，包括啞劇和玩雜耍。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The waiters mime to records playing on the jukebox.
侍者們配合自動唱機(jī)里播放的唱片對口型假唱。
來自柯林斯例句
3. I remember asking her to mime getting up in the morning.
我記得曾經(jīng)讓她用啞劇動作表演早上起床的情景。
來自柯林斯例句
4. In concerts, the group mime their songs.
這個組合在音樂會上假唱。
來自柯林斯例句
5. The performance consisted of dance, music and mime.