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Intermezzo

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a short musical or dramatic piece performed between the acts of a larger work

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

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