Adjacent Words

Scene definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SCENE, n. [L. scena; Gr. Heb. The Greek word signifies a tent, hut or cottage. In L. it is an arbor or stage. The primary sense is to set or throw down.]
1. A stage; the theater or place where dramatic pieces and other shows are exhibited. It does not appear that the ancients changed the scenes in different parts of the play. Indeed the original scene for acting was an open plat of ground, shaded or slightly covered.
2. The whole series of actions and events connected and exhibited; or the whole assemblage of objects displayed at one view. Thus we say, the execution of a malefactor is a melancholy scene. The crucifixion of our Saviour was the most solemn scene ever presented to the view of man.
We say also, a scene of sorrow or of rejoicing, a noble scene, a sylvan scene.
A charming scene of nature is display'd.
3. A part of a play; a division of an act. A play is divided into acts, and acts are divided into scenes.
4. So much of an act of a play as represents what passes between the same persons in the same place.
5. The place represented by the sate. The scene was laid in the king's palace.
6. The curtain or hanging of a theater adapted to the play.
7. The place where any thing is exhibited.
The world is a vast scene of strife.
8. Any remarkable exhibition.
The shepherds, while watching their flocks upon the plains of Bethehem, were suddenly interrupted by one of the most sublime and surprising scenes which have ever been exhibited on earth.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the place where some action occurs; "the police returned to the scene of the crime"
2: an incident (real or imaginary); "their parting was a sad scene"
3: the visual percept of a region; "the most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views" [syn: view, aspect, prospect, scene, vista, panorama]
4: a consecutive series of pictures that constitutes a unit of action in a film [syn: scene, shot]
5: a situation treated as an observable object; "the political picture is favorable"; "the religious scene in England has changed in the last century" [syn: picture, scene]
6: a subdivision of an act of a play; "the first act has three scenes"
7: a display of bad temper; "he had a fit"; "she threw a tantrum"; "he made a scene" [syn: fit, tantrum, scene, conniption]
8: graphic art consisting of the graphic or photographic representation of a visual percept; "he painted scenes from everyday life"; "figure 2 shows photographic and schematic views of the equipment" [syn: scene, view]
9: the context and environment in which something is set; "the perfect setting for a ghost story" [syn: setting, scene]
10: the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale; "they worked all night painting the scenery" [syn: scenery, scene]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle French, stage, from Latin scena, scaena stage, scene, probably from Etruscan, from Greek sk?n? shelter, tent, building forming the background for a dramatic performance, stage; perhaps akin to Greek skia shadow — more at shine Date: circa 1520 1. one of the subdivisions of a play: as a. a division of an act presenting continuous action in one place b. a single situation or unit of dialogue in a play <the love scene> c. a motion-picture or television episode or sequence 2. a. a stage setting b. a real or imaginary prospect suggesting a stage setting <a sylvan scene> 3. the place of an occurrence or action ; locale <scene of the crime> 4. an exhibition of anger or indecorous behavior <make a scene> 5. a. sphere of activity <the drug scene> b. situation <a bad scene>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a place in which events in real life, drama, or fiction occur; the locality of an event etc. (the scene was set in India; the scene of the disaster). 2 a an incident in real life, fiction, etc. (distressing scenes occurred). b a description or representation of an incident etc. (scenes of clerical life). 3 a public incident displaying emotion, temper, etc., esp. when embarrassing to others (made a scene in the restaurant). 4 a a continuous portion of a play in a fixed setting and usu. without a change of personnel; a subdivision of an act. b a similar section of a film, book, etc. 5 a any of the pieces of scenery used in a play. b these collectively. 6 a landscape or a view (a desolate scene). 7 colloq. a an area of action or interest (not my scene). b a way of life; a milieu (well-known on the jazz scene). 8 archaic the stage of a theatre. Phrases and idioms: behind the scenes 1 Theatr. among the actors, scenery, etc. offstage. 2 not known to the public; secret. behind-the-scenes (attrib.) secret, using secret information (a behind-the-scenes investigation). change of scene a variety of surroundings esp. through travel. come on the scene arrive. quit the scene die; leave. scene-dock a space for storing scenery near the stage. scene-shifter a person who moves scenery in a theatre. scene-shifting this activity. set the scene 1 describe the location of events. 2 give preliminary information. Etymology: L scena f. Gk skene tent, stage

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scene Scene, n. [L. scaena, scena, Gr. skhnh` a covered place, a tent, a stage.] 1. The structure on which a spectacle or play is exhibited; the part of a theater in which the acting is done, with its adjuncts and decorations; the stage. 2. The decorations and fittings of a stage, representing the place in which the action is supposed to go on; one of the slides, or other devices, used to give an appearance of reality to the action of a play; as, to paint scenes; to shift the scenes; to go behind the scenes. 3. So much of a play as passes without change of locality or time, or important change of character; hence, a subdivision of an act; a separate portion of a play, subordinate to the act, but differently determined in different plays; as, an act of four scenes. My dismal scene I needs must act alone. --Shak. 4. The place, time, circumstance, etc., in which anything occurs, or in which the action of a story, play, or the like, is laid; surroundings amid which anything is set before the imagination; place of occurrence, exhibition, or action. ``In Troy, there lies the scene.'' --Shak. The world is a vast scene of strife. --J. M. Mason. 5. An assemblage of objects presented to the view at once; a series of actions and events exhibited in their connection; a spectacle; a show; an exhibition; a view. Through what new scenes and changes must we pass! --Addison. 6. A landscape, or part of a landscape; scenery. A sylvan scene with various greens was drawn, Shades on the sides, and in the midst a lawn. --Dryden. 7. An exhibition of passionate or strong feeling before others; often, an artifical or affected action, or course of action, done for effect; a theatrical display. Probably no lover of scenes would have had very long to wait for some explosions between parties, both equally ready to take offense, and careless of giving it. --De Quincey. Behind the scenes, behind the scenery of a theater; out of the view of the audience, but in sight of the actors, machinery, etc.; hence, conversant with the hidden motives and agencies of what appears to public view.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scene Scene, v. t. To exhibit as a scene; to make a scene of; to display. [Obs.] --Abp. Sancroft.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(scenes) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. A scene in a play, film, or book is part of it in which a series of events happen in the same place. I found the scene in which Percy proposed to Olive tremendously poignant. ...the opening scene of 'A Christmas Carol'. N-COUNT 2. You refer to a place as a scene when you are describing its appearance and indicating what impression it makes on you. It's a scene of complete devastation... Thick black smoke billowed over the scene... N-COUNT: usu sing 3. You can describe an event that you see, or that is broadcast or shown in a picture, as a scene of a particular kind. There were emotional scenes as the refugees enjoyed their first breath of freedom... Television broadcasters were warned to exercise caution over depicting scenes of violence... N-COUNT: with supp 4. The scene of an event is the place where it happened. The area has been the scene of fierce fighting for three months... Fire and police crews rushed to the scene, but the couple were already dead... N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n 5. You can refer to an area of activity as a particular type of scene. Sandman is a cult figure on the local music scene. N-SING: supp N, usu the supp N 6. Paintings and drawings of places are sometimes called scenes. ...James Lynch's country scenes. N-COUNT: usu with supp 7. If you make a scene, you embarrass people by publicly showing your anger about something. I'm sorry I made such a scene. N-COUNT: usu sing 8. If something is done behind the scenes, it is done secretly rather than publicly. But behind the scenes Mr Cain will be working quietly to try to get a deal done. PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR n 9. If you refer to what happens behind the scenes, you are referring to what happens during the making of a film, play, or radio or television programme. It's an exciting opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes. PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n 10. If you have a change of scene, you go somewhere different after being in a particular place for a long time. What you need is a change of scene. Why not go on a cruise? PHRASE: usu v PHR 11. If you set the scene for someone, you tell them what they need to know in order to understand what is going to happen or be said next. But first to set the scene: I was having a drink with my ex-boyfriend. PHRASE: V inflects 12. Something that sets the scene for a particular event creates the conditions in which the event is likely to happen. Gillespie's goal set the scene for an exciting second half. PHRASE: V inflects 13. When a person or thing appears on the scene, they come into being or become involved in something. When they disappear from the scene, they are no longer there or are no longer involved. He could react rather jealously when and if another child comes on the scene... PHRASE: usu v PHR

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Spectacle, exhibition, show, pageant, sight, view, display, representation.

Moby Thesaurus

access, act, act drop, action, afterpiece, agora, airscape, altercation, amphitheater, appear, area, arena, argument, asbestos, asbestos board, athletic field, auditorium, back, backdrop, background, batten, bear garden, behind the scenes, bit, blaze of temper, blowup, border, bowl, boxing ring, brouhaha, bull ring, burst, campus, canvas, chapter, chaser, circus, cityscape, cloth, cloudscape, cockpit, coliseum, colosseum, commotion, confidentially, coulisse, counterweight, course, curtain, curtain board, curtain call, curtain raiser, cyclorama, decor, diorama, display, distance, disturbance, divertimento, divertissement, drop, drop curtain, epilogue, episode, eruption, exhibition, exode, exodus, explosion, expository scene, exterior, farmscape, field, finale, fire curtain, flare-up, flat, flipper, floor, forum, get about, get around, go out, ground, gym, gymnasium, hall, hanging, high words, hinterland, hippodrome, hoke act, incident, interior, interlude, intermezzo, intermission, introduction, landscape, lists, locale, locality, location, lookout, make the scene, marketplace, mat, milieu, mise-en-scene, number, open forum, outburst, outlook, palaestra, panorama, parade ground, part, participate, pastoral, perspective, picture, pit, place, platform, precinct, privately, prize ring, prologue, prospect, public square, purlieu, rag, range, rear, ring, riverscape, routine, row, scape, scene of action, scenery, scenic view, screen, seapiece, seascape, secretly, section, segment, set, setting, shtick, side scene, sight, site, sketch, skit, skyscape, snowscape, socialize, song and dance, sphere, spot, squared circle, stadium, stage, stage screw, stage set, stage setting, stand-up comedy act, storm, striptease, surreptitiously, sweep, tab, tableau, tantrum, teaser, terrain, theater, tilting ground, tiltyard, tormentor, townscape, transformation, transformation scene, turn, upset, view, vista, walk, waterscape, whereabouts, wing, wingcut, woodcut, wrestling ring