▪ I. celluloid, a.1
(ˈsɛljʊlɔɪd)
[f. L. cellula (see above) + -oid.]
Having the form or appearance of cells.
▪ II. celluloid, n. (and a.2)
(ˈsɛljʊlɔɪd)
[loosely f. cellul-ose n. + -oid.]
1. a. A solid inflammable material consisting essentially of soluble cellulose nitrate and camphor, used in the manufacture of many articles, esp. photographic film. orig. U.S., as a trade-name.
Invented in America, and first patented in Gt. Britain in April 1871, as a material for dental plates. In its manufacture the cellulose is first reduced by acids to pyroxyline (gun-cotton), camphor is then added, and the mixture subjected to immense hydraulic pressure. It may then be moulded by heat and pressure to any shape, and it becomes hard, elastic, and capable of taking on a fine finish. (The Specification of Hyatt's first British patent (1871, No. 1025) does not contain the name.)
| 1871 Amer. Dental Assoc. Trans. XI. 152 We have many so-called cheap materials..rubber, celluloid, pyroxyline, [etc.]. 1872 Specif. Hyatt's Patent No. 3101 The..manufacture of pyroxyline or soluble cotton into a solid (which is herein denominated ‘celluloid’). 1881 Chamb. Jrnl. No 909. 349 Celluloid..is an imitation ivory composed of collodion and camphor. 1882 Whitaker's Almanack 375/2 One of the most recent uses of the celluloid is for making type and engravers' blocks for printing from. 1892 W. E. Woodbury Encyl. Photogr. 110 Celluloid Films. Films of celluloid..may be coated with a gelatine sensitive emulsion, the celluloid taking the place of the glass of the photographic dry plate, the advantage being in the reduction of bulk and weight. 1951 Yarsley & Kitchen in H. M. Langton Synthetic Resins (ed. 3) ii. 116 The bulk of the..cine film used throughout the world to-day is still celluloid. |
b. A piece or sheet of celluloid; spec. = cell n.3
| 1936 A. Jenkinson America came my Way xvii, When each picture comes to be photographed it may actually consist of five different pictures—the background and four celluloids placed one on top of the other. 1959 Halas & Manvell Technique Film Anim. xix. 223 He is also responsible for seeing that the dye of the celluloids is correct. |
c. transf. Films; the cinema.
| 1934 A. G. Macdonell How like Angel ii. viii. 147 The British Board of Film Censors..who draw the tenuous line between the decorous and libidinous in the world of celluloid. 1937 A. Calder-Marshall in C. Day Lewis Mind in Chains 65 Celluloid now gives them..relief from present trouble. 1938 C. Morgan Flashing Stream 32 There are no heroes but in celluloid. |
2. attrib. or as adj. a. Made of celluloid.
| 1871 Brit. Jrnl. Dental Sc. XIV. 364 The material is named the celluloid base, so called from the material of which it is composed. 1882 Sweet & Knox Texas Siftings 9 He is usually swung to a satchel containing a comb and brush,..a clean celluloid collar, and a newspaper. 1892 [see above]. 1923 Manual of Seamanship ii. 21 Celluloid films should not be allowed on board unless stowed in well-fitting iron boxes. 1962 Unesco Bull. for Libraries XVI. 1 In 1887 H. Goodwin produced the first photographic film on celluloid base. |
b. Of or pertaining to films; appearing in a film; photographed. Also fig., synthetic; lifeless, unreal.
| 1922 Frontier Nov. 18 The celluloid hero flashed his impartial smile across the screen. 1926 E. Wallace More Educ. Evans (1928) ii. 50 Harold Lloyd favoured them with a celluloid smile as they slipped into the dark interior. 1928 D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatt. 141 Something that has gone out of the celluloid women of today. 1948 Wodehouse Spring Fever i. 12 His offspring was contemplating marrying into celluloid circles. 1958 Times Lit. Suppl. 15 Aug. p. xxviii/2 A confected thriller plot, complete with flat celluloid characters. 1959 I. & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolch. vii. 118 The celluloid dream-world really begins to have an effect on their thought. |