a. Now rare. [ad. L. theātrāl-is, f. theātrum THEATRE: see -AL. So F. théâtral (16th c.).] Of, pertaining to, or connected with the theatre; theatrical; dramatic.
1594. R. Ashley, trans. Loys le Roy, 76. They pardoned Roscius, the Authour of the law Theatral.
1665. Brathwait, Comment Two Tales, 23. He [Absolom] … in Theatral actions personates Herod in his Majesty.
1755. in Johnson.
1904. Times, 16 Aug., 5/2. Impressiveness … depends … on the vast extent and theatral disposition of the whole.
Hence Theatralize v., trans. to adapt for performance on the stage.
1825. Carlyle, Schiller, App. 270. Schiller had engaged to theatralize his original edition of the Robbers.
