photoplay en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *bʰéh₂os Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos Ancient Greek φᾰ́ος (phắos) Ancient Greek φῶς (phôs) Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-)der. English photo- Proto-West Germanic *plehan Old English pleġan Proto-West Germanic *plegō Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-West Germanic *-ōn Proto-West Germanic *plegōn Old English plegian Middle English pleyen Proto-West Germanic *plegō Old English plega Middle English pleye English play English photoplay From photo- + play.
Meanings
- A theatrical play that has been filmed for showing as a movie.
- A novel adapted from a movie and illustrated with photographic stills taken from the film. Usage largely confined to the silent era of Hollywood.
-
(dated) A motion picture.
The three essentials of the photoplay are the Synopsis, the Cast and the Plot of Action.
1913, Epes Winthrop Sargent, The Technique of the Photoplay, New York, page 30:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| photoplays | Number=Plur | lexicographic |