di·o·ram·a

[dahy-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh]
noun
1.
a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background.
2.
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.
3.
a spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices.
4.
a building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, especially as a continuous unit along or against the walls.

Origin:
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)

di·o·ram·ic, adjective
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Diorama is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
Collins
World English Dictionary
diorama (ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  a miniature three-dimensional scene, in which models of figures are seen against a background
2.  a picture made up of illuminated translucent curtains, viewed through an aperture
3.  a museum display, as of an animal, of a specimen in its natural setting
4.  films a scene produced by the rearrangement of lighting effects
 
[C19: from French, from Greek dia- through + Greek horama view, from horan to see]
 
dioramic
 
adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

diorama
1823 as a type of picture-viewing device, from Fr. (1822), from Gk. di- "through" + orama "that which is seen, a sight." Invented by Daguerre and Bouton, first exhibited in London Sept. 29, 1823. Meaning "small-scale replica of a scene, etc." is from 1902.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

diorama

three-dimensional exhibit, frequently housed in a cubicle and viewed through an aperture. It usually consists of a flat or curved back cloth on which a scenic painting or photograph is mounted. Flat or solid objects are placed in front of the back cloth, and coloured transparent gauze or plastic drop curtains are used to heighten the three-dimensional effect. A considerable improvement in perspective is achieved by the addition of stage borders or wings. The rigorous application of the laws of perspective is essential to the success of the exhibit. The skillful use of lighting also heightens the effect

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The diorama depicted the birds migrating south through a night sky illuminated by a crescent moon.
And true to life, everything appears partially obscured, including the inhabitants of the diorama.
Tell students they will draw or make a diorama about one aspect of the expedition.
Rediscover hundreds of archeological pieces in the museum and enjoy the fort
  diorama, theater and bookstore in the visitor center.
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