• Mummy

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈmÊŒmi/
    • Rhymes: -ÊŒmi

    Origin 1

    From Anglo-Norman mumie, from Middle French momie, from Medieval Latin mumia, from Arabic مومياء, from Persian مومیا, from موم (mum, "wax").

    Full definition of mummy

    Noun

    mummy

    (plural mummies)
    1. (uncountable, medicine, now historical) A substance used in medicine, prepared from mummified flesh. from 14th c.
      • 1978, Benjamin Walker, Encyclopedia of Metaphysical Medicine, Routledge 1978, p. 253:Yet another scatological medicament was obtained from mummy, the material derived from a dried or embalmed human corpse, the most valuable being that imported from Mizraim (ancient Egypt).
      • 2006, Philip Ball, The Devil's Doctor, Arrow 2007, p. 360:Nonetheless, his book advertises many Paracelsian remedies, including laudanum, mummy, antimony and mercury.
    2. (now rare) A pulp. from 17th c.
      • 1837, Mathew Carey, Vindiciae Hibernicae (page 116)You may beat them to a mummy, you may put them upon the rack, you may burn them on a gridiron, ... yet you will never remove them from that innate fidelity ...
    3. An embalmed corpse wrapped in linen bandages for burial, especially as practised by the ancient Egyptians. from 17th c.
    4. Any naturally preserved human or animal body. from 18th c.
    5. (obsolete, horticulture) A sort of wax used in grafting. 18th c.
    6. (now rare) A brown pigment obtained from bitumen, also called mummy brown. from 19th c.
    7. Specifically, a reanimated embalmed human corpse, as a typical character in horror films. from 20th c.

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (dated, transitive) To mummify.

    Origin 2

    Diminutive of mum, related to mom and mommy, from mother.

    Noun

    mummy

    (plural mummies)
    1. (chiefly UK, usually childish) A child's term for mother.

    Alternative forms

    Derived terms

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