late 14c., "open air place in ancient times for viewing spectacles and plays," from Old French theatre (12c., Modern French théâtre, improperly accented) and directly from Latin theatrum "play-house, theater; stage; spectators in a theater" (source also of Spanish, Italian teatro), from Greek theatron "theater; the people in the theater; a show, a spectacle," literally "place for viewing," from theasthai "to behold" (related to thea "a view, a seeing; a seat in the theater," theates "spectator") + -tron, suffix denoting place.
Meaning "building where plays are shown" is from 1570s in English. Transferred sense of "plays, writing, production, the stage" is from 1660s. Generic sense of "place of action" is from 1580s; especially "region where war is being fought" (1914). Spelling with -re arose late 17c. and prevailed in Britain after c. 1700 by French influence, but American English retained or revived the older spelling in -er.
双语例句
1. He became known as the enfant terrible of British theater.
他成为英国戏剧界让人头痛的天才。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Theater owners lease films from film distributors.
剧院老板从电影发行商处租电影放映。
来自柯林斯例句
3. a restaurant catty-corner from the theater
斜对着剧院的餐馆
来自《权威词典》
4. He could amuse us for hours with his stories of the theater.
他能接连几小时地为我们讲戏剧故事逗我们发笑.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. Excuse me, where is the entrance to the theater?