cyclorama

[ sahy-kluh-ram-uh, -rah-muh ]

/ ˌsaɪ kləˈræm ə, -ˈrɑ mə /

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noun

a pictorial representation, in perspective, of a landscape, battle, etc., on the inner wall of a cylindrical room or hall, viewed by spectators occupying a position in the center.

Theater. a curved wall or drop at the back of a stage, used for creating an illusion of unlimited space or distance in the background of exterior scenes or for obtaining lighting effects.

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Origin of cyclorama

1830–40; cycl- + Greek (h)órāma view; cf. panorama

OTHER WORDS FROM cyclorama

cy·clo·ram·ic, adjective

Words nearby cyclorama

cyclopia, cycloplegia, cycloplegic, cyclopropane, Cyclops, cyclorama, cyclosilicate, cyclosis, cyclosporin, cyclosporine, cyclostomatous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use cyclorama in a sentence

This instrument was no doubt the father of the pedometer and the cyclorama, just as the boy is frequently father to the man.
Nye and Riley's Wit and Humor (Poems and Yarns)|Bill Nye
This Paris cyclorama is along the same line, but ten times more wonderful.
Birdseye Views of Far Lands|James T. Nichols
The building was originally used for a cyclorama, but was entirely remodeled when put to its new use.
Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions Including Trick Photography|Albert A. Hopkins
The origin of the cyclorama is traced to the use of scenery by the Italians two or three hundred years ago.
Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions Including Trick Photography|Albert A. Hopkins

In a cyclorama of this kind it is necessary to have the scene portrayed with the utmost fidelity.
Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions Including Trick Photography|Albert A. Hopkins

British Dictionary definitions for cyclorama

cyclorama

/ (ˌsaɪkləʊˈrɑːmə) /

noun

Also called: panorama a large picture, such as a battle scene, on the interior wall of a cylindrical room, designed to appear in natural perspective to a spectator in the centre

theatre

a curtain or wall curving along the back of a stage, usually painted to represent the sky and serving to enhance certain lighting effects
any set of curtains that enclose the back and sides of a stage setting

Derived forms of cyclorama

cycloramic (ˌsaɪkləʊˈræmɪk), adjective

Word Origin for cyclorama

C19: cyclo- + Greek horama view, sight, on the model of panorama

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012