opera

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A theatrical presentation in which a dramatic performance is set to music.
2. n. The score of such a work.
3. n. A theater designed primarily for operas.
4. n. A plural of opus.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A form of extended dramatic composition in which music is an essential and predominant factor; a musical drama, or a drama in music. ; ; . The opera is one of the chief forms of musical art; on many grounds it is claimed to be the culminating musical form. At least it affords opportunity for the application of nearly every known resource of musical effect. Its historical beginning was doubtless in the musical declamation of the Greeks, especially in connection with their dramatic representations. The idea of a musical drama was perpetuated during the middle ages under the humble guise of mysteries or miracle-plays, in which singing was an accessory. The modern development began in Italy near the close of the sixteenth century, when an attempt was made to revive the ancient melodic declamation, an attempt which led directly to the discovery and establishment of monody and harmony in the place of the medieval counterpoint, of the recitative and the aria as definite methods of composition, and of instrumentation as an independent element in musical works. The modern opera involves the following distinct musical constituents, combined in various ways: recitatives, musical declamations, mainly epic or dramatic in character, with or without extended accompaniment
2. n. The score or words of a musical drama, either printed or in manuscript; a libretto.
3. n. A theater where operas are performed; an opera-house.
4. n. The administration, revenue, and property of an Italian church or parish.
5. n. Specifically, a ballad-opera (see def. 1).
6. n. Plural of opus.

Wiktionary

1. n. music A theatrical work combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.
2. n. music The score for such a work.
3. n. A building designed for the performance of such works; an opera house.
4. n. A company dedicated to performing such works.
5. n. by extension Any showy, melodramatic or unrealistic production resembing an opera.
6. n. A collection of work (plural of opus).

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. 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. n. The score of a musical drama, either written or in print; a play set to music.
3. n. The house where operas are exhibited.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a commercial browser
2. n. a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
3. n. a building where musical dramas are performed