a tough, highly flammable substance consisting essentially of nitrocellulose and camphor: once used in the manufacture of motion-picture and x-ray film, it is now used in a limited line of other products, including guitar picks, musical instruments, and table tennis balls.
motion-picture film: He was an intense director and a scrupulous editor, famous for leaving piles of celluloid on the cutting-room floor.
adjective
Informal. of or involving motion pictures: a star of the stage who was never lured into the celluloid industry.
Origin of celluloid
First recorded in 1870–75; cellul(ose) + -oid; formerly a trademark
"Behave yourself now, Jack," said the Celluloid Doll, when the toys were once more left alone.
The Story of a China Cat|Laura Lee Hope
Then Joe performed his tricks, those with the celluloid cards seeming especially to please the audience.
Joe Strong, the Boy Fish|Vance Barnum
Paper hearts and things with lots of lace on them, or celluloid ones in boxes?
A Son of the City|Herman Gastrell Seely
Later on, when performing, they would be entitled to a celluloid collar, satinette knickers and pumps.
The Bill-Toppers|Andre Castaigne
Draw a pattern from this and then outline a number of these on the celluloid and cut out.
Home Occupations for Boys and Girls|Bertha Johnston
British Dictionary definitions for celluloid
celluloid
/ (ˈsɛljʊˌlɔɪd) /
noun
a flammable thermoplastic material consisting of cellulose nitrate mixed with a plasticizer, usually camphor: used in sheets, rods, and tubes for making a wide range of articles
a cellulose derivative used for coating film
one of the transparent sheets on which the constituent drawings of an animated film are prepared