mummy
n.-
1 mother (n.) A1 Beginner British English Informala name that children use for their mother.
a familiar and informal term for one's mother, primarily used by children or in family contexts.
ExampleThe little girl ran to her mummy and gave her a big hug.
ExampleIn many British households, children continue to address their mother as 'mummy' well into their primary school years before switching to 'mum'.
UsageCapitalised when used as a proper name for one's own mother.
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2 preserved corpse (n.) B1 Intermediatea dead body that has been preserved, often wrapped in cloth, like those from ancient Egypt.
a human or animal corpse preserved by either intentional embalming or natural conditions, typically associated with ancient Egyptian burial rites.
ExampleThe museum has a famous Egyptian mummy that is over three thousand years old.
ExampleArchaeologists discovered the mummy in a hidden chamber, noting that the linen bandages and resin had kept the remains remarkably intact.
UsageOften used in the context of archaeology or horror fiction.
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3 horror character (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala monster in movies that looks like a preserved body wrapped in bandages.
a reanimated corpse wrapped in bandages, appearing as a stock character in Gothic horror and modern cinema.
ExampleHe dressed up as a mummy for the party by wrapping himself in toilet paper.
ExampleThe classic horror film features a mummy that rises from its sarcophagus to haunt the explorers who disturbed its tomb.
From Middle English mummie, from Anglo-Norman mumie, from Middle French momie, from Medieval Latin mumia, from Arabic مُومِيَاء (mūmiyāʔ), from Persian مومیا (mumyâ), from موم (mum, “wax”). Doublet of mumijo.
From mum + -y (diminutive suffix), related to mom and mommy, from mother.