film

¹film

noun, often attributive \ˈfilm, Southern also ˈfi(ə)m\

Definition of FILM

1

a : a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle

b : an abnormal growth on or in the eye

2

: a thin covering or coating <a film of ice>

3

a : an exceedingly thin layer : lamina

b (1) : a thin flexible transparent sheet (as of plastic) used especially as a wrapping (2) : a thin sheet of cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs

4

: motion picture

— film·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of FILM

1. Have you bought any film for the camera?
2. We haven't had the film developed yet.
3. He's interested in making films about war.
4. We'll start the film at 10:00.
5. He studied film in college.
6. the protective film over a shark's eye
7. A film of ice covered the sidewalk.

Origin of FILM

Middle English filme, from Old English filmen; akin to Greek pelma sole of the foot, Old English fell skin — more at fell

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FILM

Synonyms

movie, flick, flicker, motion picture, moving picture, picture

Related Words

animated cartoon, cartoon, docudrama, documentary, feature, featurette, short, short subject; silent, talkie; B movie, B picture, cofeature

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, emulsion, fill, sepia, still, stop

²film

verb

Definition of FILM

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with a film

2

: to make a motion picture of or from <film a scene>

intransitive verb

1

: to become covered or obscured with or as if with a film

2

: to make a motion picture

— film·able \ˈfil-mə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of FILM

1. Television news crew members came to film the interview.
2. She filmed the children playing.

First Known Use of FILM

1602

film

noun \ˈfilm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FILM

1

a : a thin skin or membranous covering : pellicle b : an abnormal growth on or in the eye

2

a : an exceedingly thin layer : lamina b : a thin flexible transparent sheet of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs or making radiographs