I. |histrē|änik, -nēk adjective
also his·tri·on·i·cal -nə̇kəl, -nēk-
Etymology: Late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrion-, histrio + -icus -ic
1. : of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater
an able actor ever seeking histrionic perfection
2. : deliberately affected : theatrical , staged
her heart attacks were as histrionic as her sister's fits of temper
• his·tri·on·i·cal·ly -nə̇k(ə)lē, -nēk-, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : actor
2. histrionics plural but sometimes singular in construction
a. : theatrical performances
b. : staged or stagy conduct or exhibition of temperament usually intended to produce some particular effect or response in others