nitrate film

[ nahy-treyt film, -trit ]

noun

1. a formerly produced film stock using a base of nitrocellulose: extremely flammable and tending to erode at a relatively early age.
2. a motion picture made with or printed on this film:

   Preserving these nitrate films is difficult and hazardous, and projecting them requires a special license.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrate film¹

First recorded in 1920–25