diorama

[ dahy-uh-ram-uh, -rah-muh ]
/ ˌdaɪ əˈræm ə, -ˈrɑ mə /

noun

a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background.
a life-size display representing a scene from nature, a historical event, or the like, using stuffed wildlife, wax figures, real objects, etc., in front of a painted or photographed background.
a spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices.
a building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, especially as a continuous unit along or against the walls.

Origin of diorama

1815–25; < French, equivalent to di- di-3 + Greek ( h)órāma view ( horā-, variant stem of horân to see, look + -ma noun suffix denoting the result of action)

OTHER WORDS FROM diorama

di·o·ram·ic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for diorama

British Dictionary definitions for diorama

diorama
/ (ˌdaɪəˈrɑːmə) /

noun

a miniature three-dimensional scene, in which models of figures are seen against a background
a picture made up of illuminated translucent curtains, viewed through an aperture
a museum display, as of an animal, of a specimen in its natural setting
films a scene produced by the rearrangement of lighting effects

Derived forms of diorama

dioramic (ˌdaɪəˈræmɪk), adjective

Word Origin for diorama

C19: from French, from Greek dia- through + Greek horama view, from horan to see