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. film-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) ]