In`ter*lude (?), n. [OE.
enterlude, LL. interludium; LL. inter between +
ludus play, fr. ludere to play: cf. F.
interlude. See Ludicrous.]
1. A short entertainment exhibited on the
stage between the acts of a play, or between the play and the
afterpiece, to relieve the tedium of waiting.
Dreams are but interludes, which fancy
makes
When monarch reason sleeps.
Dryden.
2. A form of English drama or play, usually
short, merry, and farcical, which succeeded the Moralities or Moral
Plays in the transition to the romantic or Elizabethan
drama.
3. (Mus.) A short piece of
instrumental music played between the parts of a song or cantata, or
the acts of a drama; especially, in church music, a short passage
played by the organist between the stanzas of a hymn, or in German
chorals after each line.
