cyclorama

American  

[sahy-kluh-ram-uh, -rah-muh] / ˌsaɪ kləˈræm ə, -ˈrɑ mə /

noun

1. a pictorial representation, in perspective, of a landscape, battle, etc., on the inner wall of a cylindrical room or hall, viewed by spectators occupying a position in the center.

2. Theater. a curved wall or drop at the back of a stage, used for creating an illusion of unlimited space or distance in the background of exterior scenes or for obtaining lighting effects.

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cyclorama British  

/ ˌsaɪkləʊˈræmɪk, ˌsaɪkləʊˈrɑːmə /

noun

1. Also called: panorama.  a large picture, such as a battle scene, on the interior wall of a cylindrical room, designed to appear in natural perspective to a spectator in the centre

2. theatre

   1. a curtain or wall curving along the back of a stage, usually painted to represent the sky and serving to enhance certain lighting effects

   2. any set of curtains that enclose the back and sides of a stage setting

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Other Word Forms

• cycloramic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cyclorama

1830–40; cycl- + Greek ( h ) órāma view; panorama

Example Sentences

The word cyclorama refers to the seamless panel at the rear of stage sets, often used to provide the illusion of infinite sky.

From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2022

The video design by Luke Halls creates a poetic cyclorama of sea and skyline that conjures history in black-and-white imagery and occasionally summons the nightmares of its characters in gory color.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2022

Some are in concert with the shape of the building — as in Bradford’s cyclorama.

From Washington Post • Sep. 29, 2021

Harrison did not fight in the Battle of Atlanta—though he did fight nearby—and the cyclorama manager who’d allowed the repainting later resigned.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 6, 2019

“About that cyclorama you ordered? The one with the evil moon?”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon