life-sizeadj.n.
/ˌlʌɪfˈsʌɪz/, U.S. /ˈlaɪfˈˌsaɪz/ A. adj.
Of a representation in art, etc.: of the same size as the original in life. Cf. life-sized adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [adjective] > having types of dimensions
life-size1813
handy-sized1834
man-size1913
man-sized1914
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [adjective] > qualities of
natural1581
well-observed1620
exact1645
well-treated1663
nature-painting1748
idealized1810
life-size1813
life-sized1834
lifelike1836
likely1840
realistic1943
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > plastic art > statuary > [adjective] > kind or size of statue
pedestrial1611
colossean1644
iconic1656
colossal1712
heroic1712
pedestrian1722
Persian1728
heroical1770
Hermaean1813
Hermaic1820
lifelike1836
polylithic1839
stolated1856
life-size1859
Heraclean1883
1813 C. Hayter Introd. Perspective, Drawing, & Painting 152 A good miniature must contain all that a good life-size picture should.
1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 139/1 The figures are life-size.
1859 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire i. xx. 340 Here..is a life-size image of Apis, when he was a calf.
1891 T. Hardy Tess of the D'Urbervilles II. xxxiv. 177 Two life-size portraits on panels.
1942 National Geographic Mag. June 756 (caption) The specimen in this life-size photograph is kept for study at the Colonial Hospital in Trinidad.
1970 N. Pevsner Cambridgeshire (Buildings of Eng.) (ed. 2) 294 Two white, life-size standing figures against a black backcloth. They are spectrally thin and joyless in their surging Berninesque draperies.
2007 Ireland's Eye Jan. 39/3 I went in to the church chandler..and ordered a life-size statue of St Philomena.
B. n.
The size of an original in life, esp. with reference to a life-size representation in art. Frequently in life-size. Also in extended use.
ΚΠ
1817 Lit. Gaz. 29 Nov. 343/3 The original, of the life size, is well known, from having been exhibited at Somerset-House, under the now cheerless appellation of ‘Nuptial Bust’.
1864 Illustr. London News 16 July 55/1 Certain technical shortcomings are revealed by this first attempt by Mr. Mount in the life-size.
1885 W. M. Rossetti in Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 681/2 Cato as the emblem of wisdom, and (in life-size) numerous figures of classic worthies, prophets, and sibyls.
1915 W. S. Maugham Of Human Bondage xxix. 126 His mind..saw everything a little larger than life size, with the outlines blurred, in a golden mist of sentimentality.
1959 Spectator 14 Aug. 181/2 This reduces M. Debré from the more-than-lifesize proper to all prime ministers..to more normal dimensions.
2002 Geist Summer 8/1 How big was Einstein's full-size head in life-size? a cubit? an ovaloid?
Phrases
small life-size: (of a representation in art) somewhat smaller than the original in life. Cf. small life at life n. Phrases 5d.
ΚΠ
1838 G. F. Waagen Wks. of Art & Artists in Eng. III. xxvii. 218 Minerva. A statue small life size, in drapery.
1875 Times 12 June 7/3 The picture is small life-size, and the attitude nearly full-face.
1906 Burlington Mag. Oct. 9/1 The group..consists of six figures, small life size.
1967 Art Bull. 49 147/1 Paul. Relief. 1849. Small life-size.
2002 B. S. Ridgway Hellenistic Sculpt. III vii. 205 Benevento Head,..(ht. of bust 0.33 m, small lifesize).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1813