intermezzo

Where does the word "intermezzo" come from? It comes from Latin intermedius, passing through Italian before entering English (1782).

Intermezzo’s story begins in Latin: intermedius meant “lying between.” Inter- 'between' plus medius 'middle'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Italian as intermezzo. Literally 'that which is between', named for a short piece performed between acts. It reached English by 1782 as intermezzo. Borrowed for a light performance inserted between the acts of a play or opera. Today, intermezzo means a short musical or dramatic piece performed between the acts of a larger work.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient intermedius "lying between", inter- 'between' plus medius 'middle'.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · medieval intermezzo "that which lies between", literally 'that which is between', named for a short piece performed between acts.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1782 intermezzo "a short piece performed between acts", borrowed for a light performance inserted between the acts of a play or opera.