cinematograph

[ sin-uh-mat-uh-graf, -grahf ]

noun

1. an early movie camera or projector, often a single mechanical device to record and project film.
2. Older Use. a movie theater.

verb (used with or without object)

1. Older Use. to record as a movie.

cinematograph

/ -ˌɡræf; ˌsɪnɪˈmætəˌɡrɑːf /

noun

1. a combined camera, printer, and projector

verb

1. to take pictures (of) with a film camera

Other Words From

• cin·e·mat·o·graph·ic [sin-, uh, -mat-, uh, -, graf, -ik], adjective
• cine·mato·graphi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinematograph¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from French cinématographe, equivalent to cinémat- (from Greek kīnēmat-, stem of kī́nēma “motion”) + -o- connecting vowel + -graphe noun suffix; -o-, -graph

Word History and Origins

Origin of cinematograph¹

C19 (earlier spelling kinematograph ): from Greek kinēmat-, kinēma motion + -graph

Example Sentences

The party would feature presentations on the latest scientific developments, including a newfangled invention called the cinematograph.

From Literature

Not long after his death, a shoemaker’s son named Georges Méliès purchased the Theatre Robert-Houdin and upon seeing a demonstration of the newly invented cinematograph by the Lumière brothers, acquired his own projector.

From New York Times

By the following year in a bleak review of the 1947 box office, editors at Life wrote, "Since the invention of the cinematograph, hardly a movie season has seen the bad pictures so heavily outweigh the good."

From Salon

In 1909, the Cinematograph Act was introduced to try to ensure that all screenings took place in buildings which were safe and suitable for public showings.

From BBC

Shows like Sacred Games, on Netflix, didn’t come under the ambit of Cinematograph Act, and thus the censor board couldn’t dictate terms.

From Slate

Related Words

• cinema
• feature
• film
• flick
• motion picture
• picture
• show
• videotape