mumchance

noun

mum·chance | \ ˈməmˌchan(t)s, -cha(a)n-, -chain-, -chȧn- \

Definition of mumchance

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : an old dice game in which the caster is not permitted to choose the player with whom he contests the stake — compare hazard

2 [influenced in meaning by mum entry 1] dialectal, England : a silent stupid person

mumchance

intransitive verb

\ " \

Definition of mumchance (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : masquerade

2 chiefly dialectal : to be silent out of caution or stupidity

mumchance

adjective

\ " \

Definition of mumchance (Entry 3 of 4)

chiefly dialectal

: silent

mumchance

adverb

\ " \

Definition of mumchance (Entry 4 of 4)

chiefly British

: silently peering down mumchance at its reflection in the river— Richard Llewellyn

History and Etymology for mumchance

Noun

Low German mummenschanze throw in a dice game played by masked revelers, from Middle Low German, from mummen dice game played by masked revelers (from mummen to go masked, perhaps from Middle French momer) + (assumed) Middle Low German schanze throw of dice, from Middle French chance throw of dice, chance

and Adverb