entr'acte

/ɑnˈtrækt/

Other forms: entr'actes

In theater, an entr'acte is a pause between sections of a play. You can also call an entr'acte an intermission — and it's a good time to stretch your legs or check your text messages.

This theatrical word comes from the French entre, "between," and acte, "act," giving it the literal meaning "between the acts." It works as a synonym for "intermission," or the Italian "intermezzo," but it's also used for the music that's played during an intermission or scene change. In musical theatre, an entr'acte works as a melodic introduction or overture for the next act.

Definitions of entr'acte

1. noun

   the interlude between two acts of a play
   type of:

   interlude

   an intervening period or episode
2. noun

   a brief show (music or dance etc) inserted between the sections of a longer performance
   synonyms: interlude, intermezzo

   type of:

   show

   the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining