mumchance

1 of 2

noun

mum·​chance
ˈməmˌchan(t)s
-cha(a)n-
-chain-
-chȧn-
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

2 of 2

intransitive verb

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

Word History

Etymology

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

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Cite this Entry

“Mumchance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mumchance. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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