opera

opera

opera¹ [äp′ə rə, äp′rə]

n.

[It < L, a work, labor, akin to opus: see OPUS]

1. a play having all or most of its text set to music, with arias, recitatives, choruses, duets, trios, etc. sung to orchestral accompaniment, usually characterized by elaborate costuming, scenery, and choreography: see GRAND OPERA, COMIC OPERA

2. the branch of art represented by such plays

3. the score, libretto, or performance of such a play

4. a theater in which operas are given

opera² [ō′pə rə, äp′ə rə]

n.

pl. of OPUS