Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A game of hazard with cards or dice in which silence was absolutely necessary.
- noun One who has not a word to say for himself; a fool.
- noun Silence.
- Silent.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Obs. or Prov. Eng. A game of hazard played with cards in silence.
- noun Prov. Eng. A silent, stupid person.
- adjective colloq. Silent and idle.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word mum-chance.
Examples
-
For the moment the upper classes lay mum-chance and let the storm blow over.
-
Not only had Purdy never once looked near Amelia — for the most part he had sat rather mum-chance, half-way in and out of a
Australia Felix 2003
-
For the moment the upper classes lay mum-chance and let the storm blow over.
Oscar Wilde Harris, Frank 1916
-
I would have spoken, only I knew that my voice would tremble, and so I sat mum-chance, staring at my pipe with unseeing eyes, and with my brain in a ferment.
The Broad Highway Jeffery Farnol 1915
-
Margot had often pitied the wives and sisters of enthusiastic fishermen who had perforce to sit mum-chance in the background, but to-day she was conscious of no dissatisfaction with her own position.
Big Game A Story for Girls George de Horne Vaizey 1887
-
To use her own words, she was one as couldn't abide to sit mum-chance.
Foul Play Charles Reade 1849
-
Because if things are done that you don't approve of, either you sit mum-chance out o 'politeness, or else you speak your mind and offend your host and hostess. "
Nicky-Nan, Reservist Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.