fɪlm n. & v. --n. 1 a
thin coating or
covering layer. 2 Photog. a strip or sheet of
plastic or
other flexible base coated
with light-sensitive
emulsion for exposure in a
camera,
either as
individual visual representations or as a
sequence which form the illusion of
movement when shown in
rapid succession. 3 a a
representation of a story,
episode,
etc., on a film, with the illusion of movement. b a story represented in
this way. c (in pl.) the
cinema industry. 4 a
slight veil or haze etc. 5 a dimness or
morbid growth affecting the eyes. 6 a fine
thread or
filament . --v. 1 a tr.
make a photographic film of (a
scene,
person, etc.). b tr. (also absol.) make a cinema or
television film of (a
book etc.). c intr. be (well or ill) suited for
reproduction on film. 2 tr. & intr.
cover or
become covered with or as with a film. øfilm-goer a person
who frequents the cinema. film
star a celebrated
actor or
actress in films. film-strip a
series of transparencies in a strip for
projection. [OE filmen
membrane f. WG, rel. to FELL(5)]