mise en scène

or mise-en-scène

[ mee zahn sen ]

noun

, French.

, plural mise en scènes, mise-en-scènes [mee zah, n, , sen, mee zah, n, , senz].

1. the process of setting a stage, with regard to placement of actors, scenery, properties, etc.
2. the stage setting or scenery of a play.
3. surroundings; environment.

mise en scène

/ miz ɑ̃ sɛn /

noun

1. 1. the arrangement of properties, scenery, etc, in a play
   2. the objects so arranged; stage setting
2. the environment of an event

Word History and Origins

Origin of mise en scène¹

First recorded in 1830–1835; French: literally, “a placing on stage”

Example Sentences

This is merely a hasty glimpse of the "mise-en-scene" that preceded the debut in life of the most renowned of Polish poets.

From Project Gutenberg

And lastly, we are treated to a real dialogue, with quite a dramatic mise en scene.

From Project Gutenberg

The creature never moved, and the mise en scene was beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg

The mise-en-scene of a play is as much a part of it as the words spoken on the stage.

From Project Gutenberg

The author then undertook to stage the play, designed the scenes, and arranged the mise-en-scene to the minutest detail.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• film set
• scenery
• set
• setting
• stage set
• stage setting