Backdrop
/ˈbækˌdrɒp/noun
A painted cloth hung at the back of a stage set for theatrical performances.
Did you know?The word 'backdrop' reflects the duality of creation and concealment, as it provides a scene while hiding the chaos of stage mechanics behind it.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
bac
“back, rear side”
Middle English
English
droppe
“a falling or something that falls”
14th Century
Old French
drap
“cloth, fabric”
15th Century
English
backdrop
“a cloth hung in the background for aesthetic or practical purposes on stage”