dress circle

noun

1. a circular or curving division of seats in a theater, opera house, etc., usually the first gallery, originally set apart for spectators in evening dress.

dress circle

noun

1. a tier of seats in a theatre or other auditorium, usually the first gallery above the ground floor

Word History and Origins

Origin of dress circle¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

Was it on the Boulevard,354 in a carriage, or in the large alley of the Tuileries, or else in the dress-circle at the theatre?

From Project Gutenberg

He could see opera-glasses levelled on her from the boxes overhead, and over the edge of the dress circle.

From Project Gutenberg

We pay something like sixpence half-penny or sevenpence apiece, and are inducted into the dress-circle.

From Project Gutenberg

They turned it into a playhouse, by remodelling its gallery into a dress-circle and balcony and adding another gallery above.

From Project Gutenberg

A portion of the dress-circle is set apart for the wives of Brigham Young.

From Project Gutenberg