Middle English Dictionary Entry
mǒmmer n.
Entry Info
| Forms | mǒmmer n. Also mummer. |
| Etymology | From mǒmmen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who mumbles or murmurs; also, one who keeps silent; (b) one who conceals the truth, a dissembler; (c) one who performs in a mumming.
Associated quotations
a
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)348 : Mummar: Mussator.
b
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)795 : In euery court þere I came..I fonde mo mvmmers..Than of sothesigger.
c
- a1456(1429) Lydg.Mum.Mercers (Trin-C R.3.20)p.695 : Nowe filoweþe a lettre..brought by a poursuyaunt in wyse of mommers desguysed to fore þe Mayre of London.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)275 : These men..purposed to falle on the Kyng sodeynly at Wyndesore, undir the coloure of mummeris in Cristmasse tyme.