si:n n. 1 a
place in
which events in real
life,
drama, or
fiction occur;
the locality of an
event etc. (the scene
was set in India; the scene of the disaster). 2 a an
incident in real life, fiction, etc. (distressing scenes occurred). b a
description or
representation of an incident etc. (scenes of
clerical life). 3 a
public incident displaying
emotion,
temper,
etc.,
esp.
when embarrassing to others (made a scene in the restaurant). 4 a a
continuous portion of a
play in a fixed
setting and usu.
without a
change of
personnel; a
subdivision of an
act. b a
similar section of a
film,
book, etc. 5 a
any of the pieces of
scenery used in a play. b
these collectively. 6 a
landscape or a
view (a
desolate scene). 7 colloq. a an
area of
action or
interest (not my scene). b a
way of life; a
milieu (well-known on the
jazz scene). 8
archaic the
stage of a
theatre. øbehind the scenes 1 Theatr.
among the actors, scenery, etc. offstage. 2
not known to the public;
secret. behind-the-scenes (attrib.) secret, using secret
information (a behind-the-scenes investigation). change of scene a
variety of
surroundings esp.
through travel.
come on the scene
arrive.
quit the scene die; leave. scene-dock a
space for storing scenery
near the stage. scene-shifter a
person who moves scenery in a theatre. scene-shifting
this activity. set the scene 1
describe the
location of events. 2
give preliminary information. [L
scena f. Gk skene tent, stage]