Pronunciation: (dī"u-ram'u, -rä'mu), [key]
1. a scene, often in miniature, reproduced in three dimensions by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a painted background.
2. a life-size display representing a scene from nature, a historical event, or the like, using stuffed wildlife, wax figures, real objects, etc., in front of a painted or photographed background.
3. a spectacular picture, partly translucent, for exhibition through an aperture, made more realistic by various illuminating devices.
4. a building or room, often circular, for exhibiting such a scene or picture, esp. as a continuous unit along or against the walls.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.