interlude

An intervening episode, etc.

Noun

  1. An intervening episode, etc.
  2. An entertainment between the acts of a play.
    • [O]ur ovvne Statutes […] preciſely prohibit the ſatyricall depraving, traducing, or derogation of the Common Prayer-Booke, and of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in any Enterludes, Playes or Rimes, (in vvhich kinde...
  3. A short piece put between the parts of a longer composition.

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *h₁entér Proto-Italic *n̥ter Latin inter Latin inter- Latin lūdō English interlude From Latin inter- (“between”) + lūdō (“to play”).

Forms

interludes enterlude

Derived

interluder interludial Quaalude

Verb

  1. To provide with an interlude.
    • Jimmy Jam, co-producer of Ms. Jackson’s heavily interluded and influential 1989 album, “Rhythm Nation 1814” (and producer of a forthcoming album by Usher with interludes), also defended them. - 2007 February 18, Tammy...
  2. To serve as an interlude.
    • During some brief, interluding, silent pauses in their interview thus far, Pierre had heard a soft, slow, sad, to-and-fro, meditative stepping on the floor above; […] - 1852, Herman Melville, Pierre; or The Ambiguities:

Forms

interludes interluding interluded

Related

intermezzo intermission station break