— filmlike , adj.
/film/ , n.
1. a thin layer or coating: a film of grease on a plate.
2. a thin sheet of any material: a film of ice.
3. a thin skin or membrane.
4. a delicate web of filaments or fine threads.
5. a thin haze, blur, or mist.
6. Photog.
a. a cellulose nitrate or cellulose acetate composition made in thin sheets or strips and coated with a sensitive emulsion for taking photographs.
b. a strip or roll of this.
c. the coating of emulsion on such a sheet or strip or on a photographic plate.
7. Motion Pictures.
a. a strip of transparent material, usually cellulose triacetate, covered with a photographic emulsion and perforated along one or both edges, intended for the recording and reproduction of images.
b. a similar perforated strip covered with an iron oxide emulsion (magfilm) , intended for the recording and reproduction of both images and sound.
c. See motion picture .
8. Often, films ,
a. motion pictures collectively.
b. the motion-picture industry, or its productions, operations, etc.
c. motion pictures, as a genre of art or entertainment: experimental film.
v.t.
9. to cover with a film, thin skin, or pellicle: filmed eyes.
10. Motion Pictures.
a. to photograph with a motion-picture camera.
b. to reproduce in the form of motion pictures: to film a novel.
v.i.
11. to become covered by a film: The water filmed over with ice.
12. Motion Pictures.
a. to be reproduced in a motion picture, esp. in a specified manner: This story films easily.
b. to direct, make, or otherwise engage in the production of motion pictures.
[ bef. 1000; 1890-95 for def. 6; 1900-05 for def. 7; ME filme, OE filmen membrane; akin to FELL 4 ]
Syn. 11. mist, haze, cloud, veil.