commedia dell'arte

American  

[kuh-mey-dee-uh del-ahr-tee, kawm-me-dyah del-lahr-te] / kəˈmeɪ di ə dɛlˈɑr ti, kɔmˈmɛ dyɑ dɛlˈlɑr tɛ /

noun

plural

commedia dell'artes, commedias dell'arte,

plural

commedie dell'arte

1. Italian popular comedy, developed chiefly during the 16th–18th centuries, in which masked entertainers improvised from a plot outline based on themes associated with stock characters and situations.

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commedia dell'arte British  

/ kɔmˈmeːdia delˈlarte /

noun

1. a form of popular comedy developed in Italy during the 16th to 18th centuries, with stock characters such as Punchinello, Harlequin, and Columbine, in situations improvised from a plot outline

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Etymology

Origin of commedia dell'arte

1875–80; < Italian: literally, comedy of art

Example Sentences

He pulled out one of the books he’s reading, an illustrated tome about commedia dell’arte.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

Now there are programs in prisons that have been running for almost a decade and the self-guided groups are creating their own plays and performances through commedia dell’arte.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2023

Since Faction of Fools specializes in commedia dell’arte, the centuries-old street-theater form, that tradition’s stylized physicality and character types mingle with the breezy references.

From Washington Post • May 2, 2022

The avant-garde ensemble, created by Ariane Mnouchkine, worked in the Italian commedia dell’arte tradition, using stock characters and masks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2022

A recurring bit includes one of them choking on French fries; commedia dell’arte experience helpful.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle