‖ divertissement
(divɛrtismɑ̃)
[F. = diversion, also ‘a ballet-interlude, piece of music for several instruments’ (Littré).]
1. An entertainment; = divertisement 2.
| 1804 Edin. Rev. V. 86 The whole party..were called upon to repeat the divertissement in a more public..manner. 1816 Byron in Moore Life (1832) III. 328 (Stanf.) All kinds of concerts and divertissements on every canal of this aquatic city. 1887 Pall Mall G. 23 Sept. 3/1 Novels, tales, and adventures of every kind. It is by these divertissements that the taste for reading is first developed. |
2. A kind of ballet; a short ballet or other entertainment given between acts or longer pieces (= F. entr'acte); formerly also a piece of music containing several movements.
| c 1728 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 710 She hath nothing in her head but plays, operas, and all divertissements. 1794 Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 257 Messrs. Fox, Sheridan, and Grey, are preparing a new Serious Divertissement, or Pas de Trois, with new scenes, dresses, and decorations, called, ‘Le Directoire Executif’. 1840 Moore Lalla R. Pref. (1850) 14, I must not omit to notice the splendid Divertissement founded upon it. 1880 Grove Dict. Mus., Divertissement, a kind of short ballet..Also a pot-pourri or piece on given motifs..The term is no longer used. 1888 Times 26 June 12/2 Advt., The new grand spectacular ballet divertissement. |