film

plural films

1. countableuncountableA thin layer of some substance; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing opacity.

   a clear plastic film for wrapping food

   1 more example

   He from thick films ſhall purge the viſual ray, / And on the ſightleſs eye-ball pour the day: […]

   1712 (date written), Alexander Pope, “Messiah. A Sacred Eclogue, in Imitation of Virgil’s Pollio.”, in The Works of Alexander Pope Esq. […], volume I, London: […] J[ohn] and P[aul] Knapton, H. Lintot, J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, and S. Draper, published 1751, →OCLC, page 40, lines 39–40

2. countableuncountableartsA medium used to capture images in a camera.
3. countableThe sequence of still images itself, which produces a moving image when played; a movie.

   Synonyms: movie

4. uncountableA visual art form that consists of a sequence of still images preserved on a recording medium to give the illusion of motion; movies generally.

   1 more example

   Despite personal schisms and differences in spiritual experience, there is a very coherent theology of Snape shared between the wives. To examine this manifestation of religious fandom, I will first discuss the canon scepticism and anti-Rowling sentiment that helps to contextualise the wider belief in Snape as a character who extends beyond book and film.

   2014 March 3, Zoe Alderton, “‘Snapewives’ and ‘Snapeism’: A Fiction-Based Religion within the Harry Potter Fandom”, in Religions, volume 5, number 1, MDPI, →DOI, pages 219–257

5. countableuncountableA professionally made movie of a substantial narrative work, around 1 to 3 hours long; a feature film; a cinematic movie.
6. countableuncountableA slender thread, such as that of a cobweb.

   Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film.

   c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iv]

present singular third person films · participle present filming · participle past filmed · past filmed

1. ambitransitiveTo record (activity, or a motion picture) on photographic film.

   I tried to film the UFO as it passed overhead.

   2 more examples

   A Hollywood studio was filming on location in NYC.

   It was truly one of the most horrific filming experiences of my career there, contrasting neatly with some of the best of my career - filming in various off-limits storerooms at LTM's Acton Depot.

   2021 June 30, Tim Dunn, “How we made... Secrets of the London Underground”, in RAIL, number 934, pages 49–50

2. ambitransitiveTo visually record (activity, or a motion picture) in general, with or without sound.
3. transitiveTo cover or become covered with a thin skin or pellicle.

   It will but skin and film the ulcerous place.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], line 146

   1 more example

   Her legs folded under her, and her eyes filmed over.

   2012, Nathan Archer, Valhalla