cel

American  

[sel] / sɛl /

Or cell

noun

1. a transparent celluloid sheet on which a character, scene, etc., is drawn or painted and which constitutes one frame in the filming of an animated cartoon: may be overlapped for change of background or foreground.

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cel British  

/ sɛl /

noun

1. short for celluloid celluloid

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Etymology

Origin of cel

By shortening of celluloid

Example Sentences

The company eventually changed its name to Rankin/Bass, and its work toggled between stop-motion and traditional cel animation.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2022

When a film cel from “Snow White” was acquired by the Met in 1938, Disney was seen as a pioneer, an innovator, even a modernist.

From Washington Post • Jan. 6, 2022

Ghibli has done hand-drawn cel animation for so long, going out of the way to use CG just to re-create that look feels unnecessary.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2021

It’s understandable that Miyazaki might find sources of inspiration harder to come by as he ages, or doubt his stamina for the gruelling work that goes into cel animation.

From The Guardian • Aug. 16, 2017

Molt voldreie aveir cel talent Que n'eüsse remembrement Des ovres faites d'en arriere: Ço me fait mal à grant manière!

From Epic and Romance Essays on Medieval Literature by Ker, W. P.