histrionicaladj.
/ˌhɪstrɪˈɒnᵻkl/, U.S. /ˌhɪstriˈɑnək(ə)l/ 1. = histrionic adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > affected behaviour or affectation > [adjective] > theatrical or exaggerated (of person) > of actions or things
histrionicalc1553
scenical1564
mimic1591
histrionic1627
scenic1638
theatric1656
theatrical1709
agonistic1833
stagy1860
actressy1893
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > [adjective] > theatrical in nature
histrionicalc1553
histrionic1627
pageant1634
theatrical1649
semblant1726
theatric1816
play-acting1875
c1553 T. Becon Jewel of Joye sig. P.viiv The papistes must haue..their commemoracions and histrionicall gesticulacions, more meate for madde braines and dronckardes than for graue and sober honeste men.
1564 T. Becon New Catech. in Catech. & Other Pieces (1844) 300 It was become deadly sin to minister the holy communion without these scenical, histrionical, and hickscorner-like garments.
a1626 L. Andrewes Serm. (1856) I. 414 This scenical, theatrical, histrionical godliness.
a1670 J. Hacket Scrinia Reserata (1693) i. 102 They [sc. the Inquisition] are so histrionical in their ceremonies, as if they made a sport of barbarousness, that they cite the dead men three several days to appear.
1705 J. Edwards Preacher 201 He carefully shuns all Behavior and Action that offend against Modesty and Gravity, and is any ways light and histrionical.
1767 C. Chauncy Serm. 10 A noisy fervor in speaking that is only histrionical and affected.
1853 W. Robins Paddington: Past & Present 153 The gorgeous histrionical ceremonies of the most depraved period of the Roman or Anglican churches.
a1945 E. R. Eddison Mezentian Gate (1972) xxxviii. 225 He stood up, and with a scenical, histrionical, elegance of courtliness, kissed her hand.
1990 San Diego Union-Tribune (Nexis) 6 July c19 No longer prone to the histrionical vocal displays that once marred her performances.
2. = histrionic adj. 2. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > [adjective]
scenical?a1475
theatrical1558
theatral1594
histrionical1599
scenic1623
histrionic1656
thymelical1656
theatric1706
scenary1730
footlight1824
thymelic1849
showish1874
du théâtre1895
stagy1895
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > [adjective]
histrionical1599
histrionic1656
personative1789
play-actoring1823
impersonative1851
1599 E. Topsell Times Lament. iv. 63 Penne some idle toyes for histrionicall plaiers.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. xviii. vii. 117 In lieu of histrionicall actours and players.
1658 R. Baxter Crucifying of World xviii. 126 If I came as the Levellers or Quakers, to cry down your pride and worldliness,..perhaps it would trouble you less to hear me. For you look on them as histrionicall actors.
1780 T. Davies Mem. Life David Garrick I. x. 89 The public was entertained with a larger portion of theatrical emulation, and a greater display of histrionical abilities, than usual.
1787 J. Hawkins Life Johnson 74 This supposed abuse of histrionical liberty.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod iii. iii. §3 In the Saxon canons.. a.d. 960, it is ordered that no priest shall..exercise the mimical or histrionical art.
1869 Musical World 4 Dec. 833/2 Her histrionical power and sentiment are also highly commended by the best musical and literary Italian journal.
1960 Times 19 Mar. 13/4 The Oberammergau play survives and develops not only because of the..histrionical ability of the villagers.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.c1553