scene English · revision 3200

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1540|origins=grc σκηνή}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /siːn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|scène]] and directly [[bor|la|scaena|t=scene, stage of a theatre]], scēna,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[grc|σκηνή|tr=skēnḗ|t=tent, booth; wooden stage for actors]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) perhaps via Etruscan,^(AHD 2000) related to [[m|grc|σκιά|tr=skiá|t=shadow]], through the idea of something giving shade.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) According to Beekes' sources, the Greek word first meant any light structure of cloth hung between trees to give shade.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A subdivision of an act of a play, and stage scenery: 1540^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) or the 1530s;^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster gives about 1520.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A theatrical word, ''scene'' took its wider senses from the painted hangings that formed the setting for the action on stage.^(Etymonline) From the stage setting it came to mean the place where the action of a play or story happens, and then any place where something happens, both by the 1590s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A view presented to the eye, a landscape, is by the 1650s.^(Etymonline) A display of strong feeling, a stormy encounter, is attested by 1761^(Etymonline) or from the early 19th century.^(Cresswell 2021) ''Behind the scenes'' refers to the pieces of scenery on a stage.^(Cresswell 2021) A particular activity and its sphere, as in ''the poetry scene'', is from 1931,^(Etymonline) and ''scene'' as slang for a setting or situation from 1951, in Beat jargon.^(Etymonline) ''Scenery'' was dramatic action in 1748, stage decoration from 1774 and a natural landscape from 1784.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1540 – a division of a play; stage scenery.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – the place where something happens.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1650s – a view.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1761 – an emotional outburst.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1784 – ''scenery'', a landscape.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1931 – a sphere of activity.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1951 – Beat slang, a situation.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The place where something happens: ''the scene of the crime''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A part of a play, film or book in which the action happens in one place.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # A view or [[landscape]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # An event or situation seen or imagined.^(AHD)

+ # A loud show of anger or emotion in public: ''make a scene''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(informal)'' An area of activity and the people in it: ''the music scene''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # The painted background and hangings on a stage; [[scenery]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[behind-the-scenes]]

+ * [[interscene]]

+ * [[scene-stealer]]

+ * [[scenery]]

+ * [[sceneshifter]]

+ * [[scenic]]

+ * [[scenography]]

+ * [[mise en scene]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scenario]]

+ * [[proscenium]]

+ * [[obscene]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}