Theatricality

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Theatrical \The*at"ric*al\, a. [L. theatricus, Gr. ?.]
     Of or pertaining to a theater, or to the scenic
     representations; resembling the manner of dramatic
     performers; histrionic; hence, artificial; as, theatrical
     performances; theatrical gestures. -- {The*at`ri*cal"i*ty},
     n. -- {The*at"ric*al*ly}, adv.


     [1913 Webster]
  
           No meretricious aid whatever has been called in -- no
           trick, no illusion of the eye, nothing theatrical. --R.
                                                    Jefferies.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  theatricality
       n : an artificial and mannered quality [syn: {staginess}]