THEATER

I. noun or theatre Etymology: Middle English theatre, from Middle French, from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai to view, from thea act of seeing; akin to Greek thauma miracle Date: 14th century 1. an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome, a building or area for dramatic performances, a building or area for showing motion pictures, a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action , 3. a place rising by steps or gradations , a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations), 4. dramatic literature ; plays, dramatic representation as an art or profession ; drama , 5. dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness, spectacle 1a, entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events , ~ of operations , II. adjective Date: 1977 of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a ~ of operations