entr'acte

American  

[ahn-trakt, ahn-trakt, ahn-trakt] / ɑnˈtrækt, ˈɑn trækt, ɑ̃ˈtrakt /

noun

entr'actes plural

1. the interval between two consecutive acts of a theatrical or operatic performance.

2. a performance, as of music or dancing, given during such an interval.

3. a piece of music or the like for such performance.

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entr'acte British  

/ ɒnˈtrækt, ɑ̃trakt /

noun

1. an interval between two acts of a play or opera

2. (esp formerly) an entertainment during an interval, such as dancing between acts of an opera

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Etymology

Origin of entr'acte

First recorded in 1740–50; from French, equivalent to entre “between” (from Latin inter ) + acte “one of the main divisions of a play or opera”; see act

Example Sentences

That sequel got pushed to next year because of the pandemic, but children can get a minion-sized new dose of the characters with this holiday themed entr’acte.

From New York Times • Nov. 23, 2020

The Hateful Eight’s roadshow featured an overture of Ennio Morricone’s lush score and an entr’acte after the intermission.

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2019

Just as it mattered to Soderbergh when he made the nearly five-hour biopic “Che,” which he exhibited roadshow-style, complete with old-fashioned overture and entr’acte.

From Washington Post • Mar. 7, 2019

It could be heard as the missing entr'acte connecting the distant worlds between the current Los Angeles Opera double bill of Purcell's opera and Bartók's "Bluebeard's Castle."

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2014

There is an entr’acte, and then a scene between Pierre and Aquilina.

From Dramatic Technique by Baker, George Pierce