mauman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Obsolete/Rare Historical)Archaic, Literary, Historical Dialect
Quick answer
What does “mauman” mean?
An obsolete or dialectal term for a hypocrite.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An obsolete or dialectal term for a hypocrite; a person who feigns sanctity or piety for show.
Historically, someone who uses ostentatious religious observance or pretence of virtue to mask true motives or deceive others; can refer more broadly to any sanctimonious or two-faced individual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obsolete in both modern varieties. Historical evidence of use is found in older British English texts (e.g., 16th-17th century) and some British regional dialects; it is not attested in the historical development of American English.
Connotations
In historical British usage, it connoted specific religious or puritanical hypocrisy. In modern contexts (if used at all), it is a deliberate archaism.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both varieties. It may appear in scholarly works on historical linguistics or in reprints of old texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mauman” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a mauman.They called him a mauman for his showy prayers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mauman” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Obsolete) To mauman about, pretending to virtues one does not possess.
American English
- No modern American usage.
adverb
British English
- No attested adverbial form.
American English
- No attested adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- (Rare) His mauman piety fooled no one.
American English
- No modern American usage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literary analysis of Early Modern English texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mauman”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mauman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mauman”
- Using it in modern contexts unironically; misspelling as 'mawman' or 'moman'; mispronouncing the first syllable to rhyme with 'cow' (/maʊ/) instead of 'maw' (/mɔː/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an obsolete or archaic word, primarily used in Early Modern English and some dialects. It is not part of active modern vocabulary.
Its etymology is uncertain but it appears related to older terms for a hypocrite or mumbler, possibly connected to 'mum' (to be silent) or imitative of indistinct speaking, implying mumbled prayers for show.
Only if you are writing about historical language or deliberately employing an archaism for stylistic effect in a literary context. It is inappropriate in standard modern formal prose.
'Mauman' is archaic and carries a stronger, more specific connotation of religious or pious hypocrisy. 'Hypocrite' is the modern, general term for anyone who pretends to have beliefs or feelings they do not possess.
An obsolete or dialectal term for a hypocrite.
Mauman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this obsolete term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'mauman' sounding like 'maw' (mouth) and 'man' – a man who is all mouth, speaking piously but not meaning it.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS PIETY IS A MASK / HYPOCRISY IS A FALSE FRONT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'mauman' be most appropriately used today?