opera
UK: ˈɒpərə | US: ˈɑːpərə
n. 1. A dramatic work combining music, singing, and theatrical performance.
n. 2. The art form or genre of such works.
n. 3. (plural) A theater dedicated to staging operas.
opera = oper<work> + a<noun suffix>
- oper<work>: From Latin opus (work, labor), reflecting the collaborative effort in music and drama.
- a<noun suffix>: A Latin feminine noun ending, often used in artistic or abstract terms.
Etymology Origin:
The word opera originated in Italian (late 16th century) as a shortened form of opera in musica ("work in music"). It directly preserves the Latin root opus, emphasizing the labor-intensive nature of the art form. The term evolved to signify both the performance and the genre itself, reflecting its integration of multiple artistic disciplines.
She performed in a famous opera at La Scala.
Mozart composed many beloved operas.
The opera house was filled with enthusiastic audiences.
Modern operas often experiment with unconventional themes.
He studies the history of Italian opera.