opera Hear it!

opera1 definition

op·era (äp′ə rə, äp′rə)

noun

  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
  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

Etymology: It < L, a work, labor, akin to opus: see opus

opera2 definition

opera (ō′pə rə, äp′ə rə)

noun

opus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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