mummery
/ˈmʌməɹi/ noun
Forms mummeries
- noun (literally, chiefly archaic) Mumming; disguising oneself to perform as a mummer, or to take part in some other festivities or performance.
- noun (figuratively) A ridiculous or ostentatious ceremony, formerly especially of a religious nature; extravagant or hypocritical performance.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle French momerie, mommerie, from Old French mommer, from momon. By surface analysis, mummer + -y.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Masking; frolic in disguise; buffoonery.
- noun Farcical show; hypocritical disguise and parade or ceremonies.
Etymology [F. momerie, of Dutch or German origin. See Mumm.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “mummery”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details