Théatre. n.s. [theatre, Fr. theatrum, Lat.]

1. A place in which shews are exhibited; a playhouse.

   This wise and universal theatre,
   Presents more woful pageants than the scene
   Wherein we play. Shakesp. As you like it.

   When the boats came within sixty yards of the pillar, they found themselves all bound, yet so as they might go about, so as they all stood as in a theatre beholding this light. Bacon.

2. A place rising by steps like a theatre.

   Shade above shade, a woody theatre
   Of stateliest view. Milton.

   In the midst of this fair valley stood
   A native theatre, which rising slow,
   By just degrees o'erlook'ed the ground below. Dryden.