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vaudeville |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Vaudeville \Vaude"ville\, n. Loosely, and now commonly, variety (see above), as to play in vaudeville; a vaudeville actor. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Vaudeville \Vaude"ville\, n. [F., fr Vau-de-vire, a village in Normandy, where Olivier Basselin at the end of the 14th century, composed such songs.] [Written also {vaudevil}.] 1. A kind of song of a lively character, frequently embodying a satire on some person or event, sung to a familiar air in couplets with a refrain; a street song; a topical song. 2. A theatrical piece, usually a comedy, the dialogue of which is intermingled with light or satirical songs, set to familiar airs. The early vaudeville, which is the forerunner of the opera bouffe, was light, graceful, and piquant. --Johnson's Cyc. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: vaudeville n : a variety show with songs and comic acts etc [syn: {music hall}]
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