intermezzo
|in-ter-mez-zo|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌɪntərˈmɛtsoʊ/
🇬🇧
/ˌɪntəˈmɛtsəʊ/
short musical or dramatic piece
Etymology
Etymology Information
'intermezzo' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'intermezzo,' where 'inter-' meant 'between' and 'mezzo' meant 'middle.'
Historical Evolution
'intermezzo' changed from the Italian word 'intermezzo' and eventually became the modern English word 'intermezzo'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a short piece between acts,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a short piece of music played between the main parts of a longer composition.
The orchestra played an intermezzo between the two acts of the opera.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/26 14:45