v. [ad. Gr. θεατρίζ-ειν to make a spectacle of, f. θέᾱτρον in the sense ‘show, spectacle’; also intr. as in 2: see -IZE.]
† 1. trans. To make a spectacle or show of. Obs.
1678. J. Brown, Life of Faith (1824), I. i. 13. They were exposed to … public shame … when made open spectacles and theatrized. Ibid. (1679), II. xiv. 297. We read of some … who were theatrized, brought to open scaffolds.
1711. Hickes, Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1847), I. 279. He endenvours to expose and theatrize us.
2. intr. To act theatrically, play a part.
1839. Watchman, 18 Sept. The Pope’s militia … can splendidly theatrize in Protestant England.
3. trans. To make theatrical or dramatic; to dramatize. rare.
1888. Scribner’s Mag., Oct., 439/1. It became necessary to ‘theatreize’ or idealize history.
