Definition

1. Noun:

   • A photographic film used for storing documents at a greatly reduced size: "microfilm" refers to a specific type of film that contains miniature photographic copies of documents, such as newspapers, books, or records, for compact storage and preservation. A special magnifying device is required to read the material.

2. Verb:

   • To record or photograph something onto microfilm: The action of copying documents or other materials onto microfilm for archival purposes.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The library's old newspaper archives are stored on microfilm.
  • To read the 19th-century manuscript, you need to load the microfilm into a viewer.

• Verb:

  • The company decided to microfilm all its financial records from the 1980s.
  • These important documents were microfilmed for long-term preservation.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on microfilm": to exist in the form of a microfilm copy.
  • The entire collection of the author's letters is on microfilm at the national archive.

Variants and Related Words

• Microfiche (n): A flat sheet of microfilm, often used for storing multiple pages in a grid pattern. While related, it is a distinct storage medium from reel-based microfilm.
  • The catalog was available on microfiche, with each sheet holding dozens of page images.

Synonyms

• Noun: Microcopy, miniature film.
• Verb: Microphotograph, miniaturize (on film).

Related Phrases

• "Microfilm reader" or "microfilm viewer" (n): The optical device used to magnify and display the contents of a microfilm.
  • She spent the afternoon at the microfilm reader, searching for the article.

Noun

1. film on which materials are photographed at greatly reduced size; useful for storage; a magnification system is used to read the material

Verb

1. record on microfilm