interlude

[ in-ter-lood ]
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noun
  1. an intervening episode, period, space, etc.

  2. a short dramatic piece, especially of a light or farcical character, formerly introduced between the parts or acts of miracle and morality plays or given as part of other entertainments.

  1. one of the early English farces or comedies, as those written by John Heywood, which grew out of such pieces.

  2. any intermediate performance or entertainment, as between the acts of a play.

  3. an instrumental passage or a piece of music rendered between the parts of a song, church service, drama, etc.

Origin of interlude

1
1275–1325; Middle English <Medieval Latin interlūdium, equivalent to Latin inter-inter- + lūd(us) play + -ium-ium

Other words for interlude

Other words from interlude

  • in·ter·lu·di·al, adjective

Words Nearby interlude

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How to use interlude in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for interlude

interlude

/ (ˈɪntəˌluːd) /


noun
  1. a period of time or different activity between longer periods, processes, or events; episode or interval

  2. theatre a short dramatic piece played separately or as part of a longer entertainment, common in 16th-century England

  1. a brief piece of music, dance, etc, given between the sections of another performance

Origin of interlude

1
C14: from Medieval Latin interlūdium, from Latin inter- + lūdus play

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012