silent-film
UK[ˈsaɪlənt fɪlm]US[ˈsaɪlənt fɪlm]
n
A motion picture, especially from the early period of cinema, that has no synchronized recorded sound, with dialogue and narrative conveyed through intertitles, acting style, and musical accompaniment.
Morpheme Breakdown
silent
film
silent
adjective
film
noun
Etymology
The compound term 'silent-film' is a transparent descriptor from the early 20th century, created to distinguish the original format of cinema from the new 'talking pictures' or 'talkies'. The adjective 'silent' originates from the Latin verb silere, meaning 'to be quiet or still', perfectly describing the defining characteristic of these movies. The noun 'film' underwent a remarkable semantic shift from its Old English meaning of a thin skin or membrane, to the photographic medium, and finally to the art form itself. Thus, the term logically and literally denotes a 'motion picture without sound', capturing a specific historical era in cinematic technology.
Analysis
Structure: silent (adjective) + film (noun)
silent: From Latin silens, silent- (present participle of silere 'to be silent'), via Old French. Functions as an adjective modifying the noun 'film'.
film: From Old English filmen ('membrane'), influenced by Greek pélma ('sole of the foot'). Evolved via the sense of a thin layer (of emulsion) to mean a motion picture. Functions as the head noun.
Examples
Charlie Chaplin was a master of physical comedy in the silent-film era.
Modern audiences are sometimes surprised by the expressive acting required in a silent-film.
The museum is holding a festival celebrating classic silent-films with live piano scores.