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mumchance

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

Definition of mumchance

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 1mum]
dialectal, England : a silent stupid person

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Origin and Etymology of mumchance

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

2

mumchance

intransitive verb \ " \

Definition of mumchance

1 : masquerade
2 chiefly dialectal : to be silent out of caution or stupidity
3

mumchance

adjective \ " \

Definition of mumchance

chiefly dialectal
: silent
4

mumchance

adverb \ " \

Definition of mumchance

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

Origin and Etymology of mumchance

3mumchance

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