letterboxed

adjective

let·​ter·​boxed ˈle-tər-ˌbäkst How to pronounce letterboxed (audio)
variants or less commonly letterbox
of a video recording
: formatted so as to display the full rectangular frame of a wide-screen motion picture
letterboxing noun

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from the resemblance of the picture on the TV screen or the bands above and below the picture to slots in a mailbox

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of letterboxed was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near letterboxed

Cite this Entry

“Letterboxed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/letterboxed. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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