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CYCLORAMA

 - 3 dictionary results

cy⋅clo⋅ram⋅a

[sahy-kluh-ram-uh, -rah-muh]
–noun
1. a pictorial representation, in perspective, of a landscape, battle, etc., on the inner wall of a cylindrical room or hall, viewed by spectators occupying a position in the center.
2. Theater. a curved wall or drop at the back of a stage, used for creating an illusion of unlimited space or distance in the background of exterior scenes or for obtaining lighting effects.

Origin:
1830–40; cycl- + Gk (h)órāma view; cf. panorama


cy⋅clo⋅ram⋅ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cy·clo·ram·a   (sī'klə-rām'ə, -rä'mə)   
n.  
  1. A large composite picture placed on the interior walls of a cylindrical room so as to appear in natural perspective to a spectator standing in the center of the room.

  2. A large curtain or wall, usually concave, hung or placed at the rear of a stage.


[cycl(o)- + (pan)orama.]
cy'clo·ram'ic adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

cyclorama

in theatre, background device employed to cover the back and sometimes the sides of the stage and used with special lighting to create the illusion of sky, open space, or great distance at the rear of the stage setting. Introduced early in the 20th century, a cyclorama usually forms a smoothly curving, concave wall at the rear of the stage. Some, called dome horizons, also curve at the top, heightening the illusion of open space. Although some theatres have a curved back wall that serves as a permanent cyclorama, it most commonly consists of a drop curtain that can be raised or lowered according to need.

Learn more about cyclorama with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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