Cho"rus (?), n.; pl.
Choruses (#). [L., a dance in a ring, a dance
accompanied with song; a chorus, a band of dancers and singers.
Gr. &?;. See Choir.]
1. (Antiq.) A band of singers and
dancers.
The Grecian tragedy was at first nothing but a
chorus of singers.
Dryden.
2. (Gr. Drama) A company of
persons supposed to behold what passed in the acts of a tragedy,
and to sing the sentiments which the events suggested in couplets
or verses between the acts; also, that which was thus sung by the
chorus.
What the lofty, grave tragedians taught
In chorus or iambic.
Milton.
3. An interpreter in a dumb show or
play. [Obs.]
4. (Mus.) A company of singers
singing in concert.
5. (Mus.) A composition of two or
more parts, each of which is intended to be sung by a number of
voices.
6. (Mus.) Parts of a song or hymn
recurring at intervals, as at the end of stanzas; also, a company
of singers who join with the singer or choir in singer or choir
in singing such parts.
7. The simultaneous of a company in any
noisy demonstration; as, a Chorus of shouts and
catcalls.
Cho"rus, v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Chorused (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Chorusing.] To sing in chorus; to
exclaim simultaneously. W. D. Howells.