orchestra

Where does the word "orchestra" come from? It comes from Greek orkhestra, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Orchestra’s story begins in Greek: orkhestra meant “the dancing space in a theater.” The space in front of a stage where the chorus danced and performed. It reached English by 1600s as orchestra. Settled as the word for a group of musicians, and later their playing space. Today, orchestra means a large group of instrumentalists performing together.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient orkhestra "the dancing space in a theater", the space in front of a stage where the chorus danced and performed.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s orchestra "a large group of instrumental musicians", settled as the word for a group of musicians, and later their playing space.