Mummery

Definitions

1. Mumming; disguising oneself to perform as a mummer, or to take part in some other festivities or performance.
   archaic, countable, literally, uncountable
2. A ridiculous or ostentatious ceremony, formerly especially of a religious nature; extravagant or hypocritical performance.
   countable, figuratively, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“I say⟳ the sewer thought I was dressed to bear⟳ a part in the tregetour’s mummery, and so I got admission”

“The twentieth of September, they are bound Fast from the midnight watch⟳ to pray till morn.— More would he not disclose, or knew not more. —What precious mummery!”

“All this affectation and mummery was in due time overcome⟳, and Zeluco's nuptials with the widow were celebrated in form⟳.”

“Because it is more simple, and, in its simplicity, becomes sublime to a mind⟳ like⟳ her's—in my days of darkness I did not like⟳ the ceremonies of the church, but classed them with silly mummeries, hardening my heart against that which I did not understand⟳—now you would have⟳ no such feelings to contend with...”

“Why, you unweaned cub, he believes in that mummery a good deal⟳ less than I do, and I don't believe⟳ in it at all.”

CEFR level