DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Op·er·a n.
 1. A drama, either tragic or comic, of which music forms an essential part; a drama wholly or mostly sung, consisting of recitative, arias, choruses, duets, trios, etc., with orchestral accompaniment, preludes, and interludes, together with appropriate costumes, scenery, and action; a lyric drama.
 2. The score of a musical drama, either written or in print; a play set to music.
 3. The house where operas are exhibited.
 Opera bouffe [F. opéra opera + bouffe comic, It. buffo], Opera buffa [It.], light, farcical, burlesque opera.
 Opera box, a partially inclosed portion of the auditorium of an opera house for the use of a small private party.
 Opera comique [F.], comic or humorous opera.
 Opera flannel, a light flannel, highly finished. --Knight.
 Opera girl or Opera girls Bot., an East Indian plant (Mantisia saltatoria) of the Ginger family, sometimes seen in hothouses. It has curious flowers which have some resemblance to a ballet dancer, whence the popular name.  Called also dancing girls.
 Opera glass, a short telescope with concave eye lenses of low power, usually made double, that is, with a tube and set of glasses for each eye; a lorgnette; -- so called because adapted for use at the opera, theater, etc.
 Opera hat, a gentleman's folding hat.
 Opera house, specifically, a theater devoted to the performance of operas.
 Opera seria [It.], serious or tragic opera; grand opera.
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 opera comique
      n : opera with a happy ending and in which some of the text is
          spoken [syn: comic opera, opera bouffe, bouffe]