[syn: celluloid, synthetic]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Celluloid \Cel"lu*loid`\ (s[e^]l"[-u]*loid), n. [Cellulose +
-oid.]
A substance composed essentially of gun cotton and camphor,
and when pure resembling ivory in texture and color, but
variously colored to imitate coral, tortoise shell, amber,
malachite, etc. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry and
many small articles, as combs, brushes, collars, and cuffs;
-- originally called xylonite.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
celluloid
adj 1: artificial as if portrayed in a film; "a novel with flat
celluloid characters" [syn: celluloid, synthetic]
n 1: highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and
camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its
use has decreased with the development of nonflammable
thermoplastics
2: a medium that disseminates moving pictures; "theater pieces
transferred to celluloid"; "this story would be good cinema";
"film coverage of sporting events" [syn: film, cinema,
celluloid]