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Webster 1913 Edition


Interlude

Inˊter-lude

,
Noun.
[OE.
enterlude
, LL.
interludium
; LL.
inter
between +
ludus
play, fr.
ludere
to play: cf. F.
interlude
. See
Ludicrous
.]
1.
A short entertainment exhibited on the stage between the acts of a play, or between the play and the afterpiece, to relieve the tedium of waiting.
Dreams are but
interludes
, which fancy makes
When monarch reason sleeps.
Dryden.
2.
A form of English drama or play, usually short, merry, and farcical, which succeeded the Moralities or Moral Plays in the transition to the romantic or Elizabethan drama.
3.
(Mus.)
A short piece of instrumental music played between the parts of a song or cantata, or the acts of a drama; especially, in church music, a short passage played by the organist between the stanzas of a hymn, or in German chorals after each line.

Webster 1828 Edition


Interlude

IN'TERLUDE

,
Noun.
[L. inter and ludus, play.]
An entertainment exhibited on the state between the acts of a play, or between the play and the afterpiece, to amuse the spectators, while the actors take breath and shift their dress, or the scenes and decorations are changed. In ancient tragedy, the chorus sung the interludes. In modern times, interludes consist of songs, feats of activity, dances, concerts of music, &c.

Definition 2024


interlude

interlude

English

Noun

interlude (plural interludes)

  1. An intervening episode, etc.
  2. An entertainment between the acts of a play.
  3. (music) A short piece put between the parts of a longer composition.

Translations

Verb

interlude (third-person singular simple present interludes, present participle interluding, simple past and past participle interluded)

  1. (transitive) To provide with an interlude.
    • 2007 February 18, Tammy La Gorce, “Between Songs, Interludes That Fall Upon Deaf Ears”, in New York Times:
      Jimmy Jam, co-producer of Ms. Jackson’s heavily interluded and influential 1989 album, “Rhythm Nation 1814” (and producer of a forthcoming album by Usher with interludes), also defended them.

See also