entr'acte

American  

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

noun

plural

entr'actes

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

Saturday night at Fred Kavli Theatre, Christie began with kazoos, brought in the Marcus Roberts Trio to spice up Gershwin’s Concerto in F, and turned intermission into an imaginative entr’acte.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2019

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

Preshow and entr’acte piano-playing of period tunes like “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” whose misty-eyed lyrics are found inside the program, allow audience members to sing along.

From New York Times • May 13, 2013

The second entr'acte is performed after the rising of the curtain.

From Stars of the Opera by Wagnalls, Mabel