entr'acte

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an interval between two acts of a play, opera, or other theatrical performance

   The audience returned to the foyer during the entr'acte.

2. 2
   noun

   a short piece of music, dance, or entertainment performed between acts

   The orchestra played a lively entr'acte before the curtain rose again.

Borrowed from French entr'acte, literally 'between acts,' from entre, 'between,' + acte, 'act.' English retains the theatrical interval sense and also uses the word for music or another entertainment presented during that interval.

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