Synonyms for orchestra


Grammar : Noun
Spell : awr-kuh-struh
Phonetic Transcription : ˈɔr kə strə


Définition of orchestra

Origin :
  • c.1600, "area in an ancient theater for the chorus," from Latin orchestra, from Greek orkhestra, semicircular space where the chorus of dancers performed, with suffix -tra denoting place + orkheisthai "to dance," intensive of erkhesthai "to go, come," from PIE *ergh- "to set in motion, stir up, raise" (cf. Sanskrit rghayati "trembles, rages, raves," rnoti "rises, moves," arnah "welling stream;" Old Persian rasatiy "he comes;" Greek ornynai "to rouse, start;" Latin oriri "to rise," origo "a beginning;" Gothic rinnan, Old English irnan "to flow, run"). In ancient Rome, it referred to the place in the theater reserved for senators and other dignitaries. Meaning "group of musicians performing at a concert, opera, etc." first recorded 1720; "part of theater in front of the stage" is from 1768.
  • noun symphony
Example sentences :
  • He was a real sleight-of-hand man, and the anvil was his orchestra.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • Then the leader of the orchestra came to his place, and after a pause, the music began.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • The members of the orchestra came into the theatre, and after a while the music began.
  • Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine
  • The orchestra was again playing more loudly in the distance.
  • Extract from : « The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete » by Emile Zola
  • He has made his orchestra the best in the country,--in fact, the only one.
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 17, July 23, 1870 » by Various
  • In roving across the orchestra to the foot-lights my eyes were arrested.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • The orchestra and chorus together are called a verein—musik-verein.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • They say the orchestra are going to rebel against von Francius.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • Then we retired to one of the small rooms on one side of the orchestra.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill
  • Some of the other performers were leaving the orchestra by two little doors.
  • Extract from : « The First Violin » by Jessie Fothergill

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019