mummery

Noun

mummery (countable and uncountable, plural mummeries)

1. (archaic, literally) Mumming; disguising oneself to perform as a mummer, or to take part in some other festivities or performance.
   • I say the sewer thought I was dressed to bear a part in the tregetour’s mummery, and so I got admission1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe
2. (figuratively) A ridiculous or ostentatious ceremony, formerly especially of a religious nature; extravagant or hypocritical performance.
   • The twentieth of September, they are bound
     Fast from the midnight watch to pray till morn.—
     More would he not disclose, or knew not more.
     —What precious mummery!1781, Horace Walpole, The Mysterious Mother, Act 1 Scene 1
   • All this affectation and mummery was in due time overcome, and Zeluco's nuptials with the widow were celebrated in form.1789, John Moore, Zeluco, Valancourt, published 2008, page 41