View synonyms for diorama

diorama

[ dahy-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background.
a life-size display representing a scene from nature, a historical event, or the like, using stuffed wildlife, wax figures, real objects, etc., in front of a painted or photographed background.
a spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices.
a building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, especially as a continuous unit along or against the walls.

diorama

/ ˌdaɪəˈræmɪk; ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə /

noun

a miniature three-dimensional scene, in which models of figures are seen against a background
a picture made up of illuminated translucent curtains, viewed through an aperture
a museum display, as of an animal, of a specimen in its natural setting
films a scene produced by the rearrangement of lighting effects

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Derived Forms

dioramic, adjective

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Other Words From

dio·ramic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of diorama¹

1815–25; < French, equivalent to di- di- ³ + Greek ( h ) órāma view ( horā-, variant stem of horân to see, look + -ma noun suffix denoting the result of action)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of diorama¹

C19: from French, from Greek dia- through + Greek horama view, from horan to see

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Example Sentences

At ground level: comically huge, flat-leafed plants that look like they come from a prehistoric diorama.

From The Daily Beast

Across from this display is a clay diorama of a gas chamber in action.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Darcy wants a circus-poster, or the canvas of a diorama.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an answer that rings down the curtain on the diorama called "Cruikshank the journalist."

From Project Gutenberg

Such was the Diorama as it was first exhibited in London to admiring crowds.

From Project Gutenberg

That building was intended for the exhibition of the Diorama.

From Project Gutenberg

For hundreds of miles, day after day, we were borne past a moving diorama of scenery unrivalled by anything here below.

From Project Gutenberg

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