mummy1
/ˈmʌmi
/noun (plural mummies)
(Especially in ancient Egypt) a body of a human being or animal that has been ceremonially preserved by removal of the internal organs, treatment with natron and resin, and wrapping in bandages: the mummy of Tutankhamen...
- The Tutankhamun CT scan project was only the first step in a five-year endeavor to scan and preserve the ancient mummies of Egypt, many of which are crumbling.
- Such jars were used in ancient Egyptian burials to store the internal organs of mummies but the jar is the only example in the Harrogate collection to contain a residue.
- From ancient Egyptian mummies to Iron Age bog bodies found in northern Europe, human remains reveal much about past cultures.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting a substance taken from embalmed bodies and used in medicines): from French momie, from medieval Latin mumia and Arabic mūmiyā 'embalmed body', perhaps from Persian mūm 'wax'.
Rhymes
mummy2
/ˈmʌmi/noun (plural mummies) British informal
One’s mother: he loves his mummy [as name]: here’s Mummy...
- We asked them to draw a picture of their mummy for a Mother's Day card.
- ‘I loved being a mummy but that has been taken away from me,’ she said.
- May your mummy still love you when you dye your hair green.
Origin
Late 18th century: perhaps an alteration of earlier mammy.