Get Affordable VMs - excellent virtual server hosting


browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

orchestramore about orchestra

orchestra

 

  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Orchestra  \Or"ches*tra\,  n.  [L.  orchestra,  Gr  ?,  orig.,  the 
  place  for  the  chorus  of  dancers,  from  ?  to  dance:  cf  F. 
  orchestre.] 
  1.  The  space  in  a  theater  between  the  stage  and  the  audience; 
  --  originally  appropriated  by  the  Greeks  to  the  chorus  and 
  its  evolutions,  afterward  by  the  Romans  to  persons  of 
  distinction,  and  by  the  moderns  to  a  band  of  instrumental 
  musicians. 
 
  2.  The  place  in  any  public  hall  appropriated  to  a  band  of 
  instrumental  musicians. 
 
  3.  (Mus.) 
  a  Loosely:  A  band  of  instrumental  musicians  performing 
  in  a  theater,  concert  hall,  or  other  place  of  public 
  amusement. 
  b  Strictly:  A  band  suitable  for  the  performance  of 
  symphonies,  overtures,  etc.,  as  well  as  for  the 
  accompaniment  of  operas,  oratorios,  cantatas,  masses, 
  and  the  like  or  of  vocal  and  instrumental  solos. 
  c  A  band  composed,  for  the  largest  part  of  players  of 
  the  various  viol  instruments,  many  of  each  kind 
  together  with  a  proper  complement  of  wind  instruments 
  of  wood  and  brass;  --  as  distinguished  from  a  military 
  or  street  band  of  players  on  wind  instruments,  and 
  from  an  assemblage  of  solo  players  for  the  rendering 
  of  concerted  pieces,  such  as  septets,  octets,  and  the 
  like 
 
  4.  (Mus.)  The  instruments  employed  by  a  full  band, 
  collectively;  as  an  orchestra  of  forty  stringed 
  instruments,  with  proper  complement  of  wind  instruments. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  orchestra 
  n  1:  instrumentalists  including  string  players 
  2:  main  floor  in  a  theater




more about orchestra