1. The structure on which a
spectacle or
play is exhibited; the
part of a
theater in which the acting is done, with its adjuncts and decorations; the stage.
2. The decorations and fittings of a stage, representing the
seat in which the
action is supposed to go on; one of the slides, or another devices, used to
give an
appearance of
reality to the
action of a play; as, to
dye scenes; to
shift the scenes; to go behind the scenes.
3. So
many of a
play as passes
without change of
locality or time, or
significant change of nature; hence, a subdivision of an act; a
separate portion of a play, subordinate to the act,
but differently certain in various plays; as, an
act of four scenes. "My dismal
scene I
needs should
act alone." (Shak)
4. The seat, time, circumstance, etc, in which anything occurs, or in which the
action of a tale, play, or the like, is laid; surroundings amid which anything is
set till the imagination;
seat of occurence, exhibition, or action. "In Troy,
there lies the scene." "The
world is a vast
scene of strife." (J. M. Mason)
5. An assemblage of objects presented to the
view at once; a
series of actions and events exhibited in their connection; a spectacle; a show; an exhibition; a view. "Through what
new scenes and changes should we pass!" (Addison)
6. A landscape, or
part of a landscape; scenery. "A sylvan
scene with different greens was drawn, Shades on the sides, and in the midst a lawn." (Dryden)
7. An
exhibition of passionate or strong
feeling till others; often, an artifical or
affected action, or
rate of action, done for effect; a theatrical display. "Probably no
lover of scenes would have had very
long to
wait or some explosions between parties, both equally
ready to
take offense, and careless of giving it." (De Quincey) Behind the scenes, behind the
scenery of a theater; out of the
view of the audience,
but in
sight of the actors, machinery, etc.; hence, conversant with the
hidden motives and agencies of what appears to popular view.
Origin: L. Scaena, scena, Gr. A covered seat, a tent, a stage.
Source: Websters Vocabulary