Theatre
['θɪətə] or ['θɪətɚ]
Definition
(n.) An edifice in which dramatic performances or spectacles are exhibited for the amusement of spectators; anciently uncovered, except the stage, but in modern times roofed.
(n.) Any room adapted to the exhibition of any performances before an assembly, as public lectures, scholastic exercises, anatomical demonstrations, surgical operations, etc.
(n.) That which resembles a theater in form, use, or the like; a place rising by steps or gradations, like the seats of a theater.
(n.) A sphere or scheme of operation.
(n.) A place or region where great events are enacted; as, the theater of war.
Inputed by Elvira
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [Written also Theater.] [1]. Play-house.[2]. Scene, field, arena.
Checked by Basil
Definition
n. a place where public representations chiefly dramatic or musical are seen a play-house: any place rising by steps like the seats of a theatre: a building adapted for scholastic exercises anatomical demonstrations &c.: scene of action field of operations: the drama the stage.—adjs. Theat′ric -al relating or suitable to a theatre or to actors: pompous: artificial affected.—v.t. and v.i. Theat′ricalise to adapt to dramatic representation: to make stagy.—ns. Theat′ricalism Theatrical′ity staginess artificiality.—adv. Theat′rically in a theatrical manner: in a manner suiting the stage.—n. Theat′ricalness.—n.pl. Theat′ricals dramatic performances.—v.i. Theat′ricise to play a part.—ns. Theat′ricism theatricality affectation staginess; Theatromā′nia a craze for play-going; Theat′rophone a telephone connected with a theatre.
Editor: Nat
Examples
- At one of the theatre doors, there was a little girl with a mother, looking for a way across the street through the mud. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Other vengeance than mine had followed that fated man from the theatre to his own door--from his own door to his refuge in Paris. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Winsor takes British patent for Illuminating Gas, lights Lyceum Theatre, and organizes First Gas Company. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The theatre was never piped for gas! Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- To the theatre he went, and reached it just in time to witness the first meeting of his father and his friend. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- I had a headache--gone now--and was not quite fit for a hot theatre, so I stayed at home. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- We started for the theatre. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Oh for the Ecclesford theatre and scenery to try something with. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- The theatre of Pumpernickel is known and famous in that quarter of Germany. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- I mention this because it was at the theatre that I began to be made uncomfortable again by Mr. Guppy. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Seventeen or eighteen centuries ago this Coliseum was the theatre of Rome, and Rome was mistress of the world. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- We watched them, too, out of the theatre. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Scarce half a dozen chambers had I traversed before I came upon the theatre of a fierce struggle. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- This luxury his footman procured, together with a tankard of ale from a pothouse in the immediate vicinity of the theatre. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- My wife had gone to the theatre. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- The 8000 or so motion-picture theatres of the country employ no fewer than 40,000 people, whose aggregate annual income amounts to not less than $37,000,000. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The day passed most pleasantly away; the morning in bustle and shopping, and the evening at one of the theatres. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- His phonographs and his motion pictures have more audiences in a week than all the theatres in America in a year. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- He had seen, amidst Italian cities and scenes, faces like Moore's; he had heard, in Parisian cafés and theatres, voices like his. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- He appeared like the forgotten spirit of the time in the theatres, and bade the spectators go home and die. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- We made the round of the principal theatres, too, with great delight, and saw all the plays that were worth seeing. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- But, the theatres were all well filled, and the people poured cheerfully out as he passed, and went chatting home. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- I have already visited almost all the theatres to-night, answered Ebrington. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Isn’t that the most curious thing you ever saw--better than a play at one of your city theatres, eh? Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- At the little Paris theatres, on the other hand, you will not only hear the people yelling out Ah gredin! William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- All idea of resort for pleasure, of theatres and festivals had passed away. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Checker: Rosalind