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

The first opera CD he bought was a 1977 recording of duets by Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland, and he was struck by how cinematic the overture and entr’acte were.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2023

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

To assume that a lapse of time stated to have passed in a just preceding entr’acte, and a 141 change of environment there, have produced marked difference in character is not today enough.

From Dramatic Technique by Baker, George Pierce