Dictionary

shadow play en · NOUN

Etymology

From shadow + play.

Meanings

1. (countable, qualifier:hand games, uncountable) An ancient form of storytelling and entertainment using opaque, often articulated figures in front of an illuminated backdrop to create the illusion of moving images.
   • The project invokes aesthetics particularly associated with children: play, craft, and amateurism. Indeed, especially in segments that employ elements such as a spotlight and shadowplay, Green Porno is reminiscent of an elementary-school pageant. 2018, Nicole Seymour, Bad Environmentalism, page 86:
2. (countable, uncountable) A play of this form.

Forms

Relateds

finger puppet

Synonyms

shadow puppetry

Translations (23)

eo ombroludo (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · cy sioe gysgodion (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · pl teatr cieni (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · te తోలుబొమ్మలాట (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · ja 影絵 (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · be тэатр ценяў (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · cmn 皮影戲 /皮影戏 (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · nl schimmenspel (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · fr ombromanie (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · ru теа́тр тене́й (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · fr ombres chinoises (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · tr gölge oyunu (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · pt teatro de sombras (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · fr théâtre d'ombres (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · sv skuggspel (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · hu árnyjáték (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · de Schattenspiel (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · es teatro de sombras (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · ca teatre d'ombres (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · ko 그림자극 (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · id wayang (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · fi varjoteatteri (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop) · ms wayang kulit (form of storytelling using opaque figures in front of an illuminated backdrop)