orchestra

English

/ˈɔɹkəstɹə/, /ˈɔːkəstɹə/

noun
Definitions
  • (music) A large group of musicians who play together on various instruments, usually including some from strings, woodwind, brass and/or percussion; the instruments played by such a group.
  • A semicircular space in front of the stage used by the chorus in Ancient Greek and Hellenistic theatres.
  • The area in a theatre or concert hall where the musicians sit, immediately in front of and below the stage, sometimes (also) used by other performers.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin orchēstra derived from Ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα.

Origin

Ancient Greek

ὀρχήστρα

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms