σκηνή .σκηνη, ἡ, a covered place, a tent, Hdt., Soph., etc.: —in pl. a camp, Lat. castra, Aesch., Xen. generally, a dwelling-place, house, temple, Eur. a wooden stage for actors, Plat.:—in the regular theatre, the σκηνή was a wall at the back of the stage, with doors for entrance and exit; the stage (in our sense) was προσκήνιον or λογεῖον, the sides or wings παρασκήνια, and the wall under the stage, fronting the orchestra, ὑποσκήνια. οἱ ἀπὸ σκηνῆς, the actors, players, Dem. τὸ ἐπὶ σκηνῆς μέρος that which is actually represented on the stage, Arist.; τὰ ἀπὸ τῆς σκηνῆς (sc. ᾄσματα) , odes sung on the stage, Arist. metaph. stage-effect, unreality, σκηνὴ πᾶς ὁ βίος "all the worldʼs a stage, " Anth. the tented cover, tilt of a wagon, Aesch., Xen.: also a bed-tester, Dem. an entertainment given in tents, a banquet, Xen.