mumchance

I. \\ˈməmˌchan(t)s, -cha(a)n-, -chain-, -chȧn-\ noun

Etymology: 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 — more at chance

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 (I) ] dialect England : a silent stupid person

II. intransitive verb

1. : masquerade

2. chiefly dialect : to be silent out of caution or stupidity

III. adjective

chiefly dialect : silent

IV. adverb

Etymology: mumchance (III)

chiefly Britain : silently

peering down mumchance at its reflection in the river — Richard Llewellyn