opera English · revision 6776

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1644|origins=la opus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɒp.ə.ɹə/, /ˈɒp.ɹə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈɑp.ə.ɹə/, /ˈɑ.pɚ.ə/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|it|opera|t=a work, composition; an opera]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|opera|t=work, effort]], a Latin plural taken as a feminine singular, related to [[m|la|opus|t=a work]] (genitive operis; see [[opus]] and [[operate]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from PIE [[ine-pro|*h₃ep-|alt=*op-|t=to work, produce in abundance]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A drama mostly sung: 1644, in John Evelyn's diary;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1640s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) MWU has 1648.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Going ''to the opera'', with the sense of the place, is from 1645,^(OED 1989) and opera as a branch of dramatic art from 1759.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The opera house is from 1720, the opera glass from 1738 and the opera hat from 1810.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) [[operatic|alt=Operatic]] (1749) was formed irregularly on the model of drama, dramatic,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) and [[operetta]] was borrowed from Italian in 1770.^(Barnhart 1988) ''Soap opera'', first a disparaging name for daytime radio dramas sponsored by soap makers, is American from 1939,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''horse opera'', a western film, from about 1941.^(Barnhart 1988) Elson's ''Music Dictionary'', quoted by Etymonline, says the form was devised shortly before 1600 by Florentine amateurs trying to bring Greek plays back to the stage.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1644 – a sung drama, in Evelyn.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1720 – opera house.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1749 – operatic.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1759 – as a branch of art.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1939 – soap opera.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A dramatic work in which the words are mostly or entirely sung, with [[orchestra|alt=orchestral]] accompaniment.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Such works as an art form.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A theatre for operas; an [[opera house]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[operagoer]]

+ * [[operetta]]

+ * [[ballad opera]]

+ * [[comic opera]]

+ * [[grand opera]]

+ * [[horse opera]]

+ * [[opera bouffe]]

+ * [[opera buffa]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[operable]]

+ * [[operand]]

+ * [[operant]]

+ * [[operate]]

+ * [[operatic]]

+ * [[operation]]

+ * [[operational]]

+ * [[operative]]

+ * [[operator]]

+ * [[opus]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Opera'' is also a plural of [[opus]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}