theater

I. noun or theatre Etymology: Middle English theatre, from Middle French, from Latin theatrum, from Greek theatron, from theasthai to view, from thea act of seeing; akin to Greek thauma miracle Date: 14th century 1. a. an outdoor structure for dramatic performances or spectacles in ancient Greece and Rome b. a building or area for dramatic performances c. a building or area for showing motion pictures 2. a place or sphere of enactment of usually significant events or action <

the theater of public life

> 3. a. a place rising by steps or gradations <

a woody theater of stateliest view — John Milton

> b. a room often with rising tiers of seats for assemblies (as for lectures or surgical demonstrations) 4. a. dramatic literature ; plays b. dramatic representation as an art or profession ; drama 5. a. dramatic or theatrical quality or effectiveness b. spectacle 1a c. entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events <

t public feud made for good theater

> 6. theater of operations II. adjective Date: 1977 of, relating to, or appropriate for use in a theater of operations <

theater nuclear weapons

>