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microfilm

[mahy-kruh-film]
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noun
  1. a film bearing a miniature photographic copy of printed or other graphic matter, usually of a document, newspaper or book pages, etc., made for a library, archive, or the like.
  2. a film, especially of motion-picture stock, on which microcopies are made.
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verb (used with object)
  1. to make a microfilm of.
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Origin of microfilm

First recorded in 1930–35; micro- + film
Related formsmi·cro·film·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for microfilm

Historical Examples

  • He got out the microfilm reels which contained more information.

    Pariah Planet

    Murray Leinster

  • On the body of the imitation Rat, he found a belt-pouch full of microfilm.

    The Measure of a Man

    Randall Garrett

  • The old entries were on microfilm, stored on their spools near the reader.

    Gold in the Sky

    Alan Edward Nourse

  • However, he stated that he received the microfilm of the edition too late for use in his edition!

  • When I tackled that double I managed to slip a microfilm capsule into his pocket.

    Daughters of Doom

    Herbert B. Livingston

British Dictionary definitions for microfilm

microfilm

noun
  1. a strip of film of standard width on which books, newspapers, documents, etc, can be recorded in miniaturized form
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verb
  1. to photograph (a page, document, etc) on microfilm
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See also microfiche
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

Word Origin and History for microfilm

n.

1927, coined from micro- + film (n.). The verb is first recorded 1940, from the noun. Related: Microfilmed; microfilming.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
microfilm in Culture

microfilm

A film on which miniature copies of documents are reproduced. Microfilm allows for very compact storage of books and documents.

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.