I. ˈkōrəs, -ȯr- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin, ring dance, dance accompanied with singing, group of dancers and singers, from Greek choros; probably akin to Lithuanian žaras course, way
1.
a. : a company of singers and dancers acting as a unit and in the developed Athenian drama acting as participants in or commenters on the action ; also : a similar company in later plays imitating or adapted from Greek models
b. : a character in the Elizabethan drama who speaks the prologue and epilogue and comments on the action
c. : an organized company of singers who sing in concert : choir ; specifically : a body of singers who sing choral parts (as in opera) — distinguished from soloist
d. : a company of singers who join a soloist in singing a refrain
e. : a group of dancers and usually singers supporting the featured players in a musical comedy or revue
2. : something suitable for or intended for performance by a choral group: as
a. : a part of a song or hymn recurring at intervals (as the refrain at the end of stanzas)
b. : the part of a drama sung or spoken by the chorus, typically consisting in Greek drama of a series of odes for antiphonal singing interspersed between the scenes of the play
c. : a composition usually of two or more parts in harmony intended to be sung by a number of voices in concert
a double chorus of eight parts
d. : the main or characteristic part of a popular song as distinguished from the introductory verse
3. : something performed by or as if by a choral group: as
a. : the simultaneous singing or song of a number of persons
b. : the simultaneous utterance (as of speech, laughter, or cries) by a number of persons or animals
the chorus of dogs in the chase
also : sounds so uttered
the insects … raising a chorus from the woods and grasses — D.C.Peattie
c. : any utterance that follows immediately upon another or that comes as a response to another, suggesting the refrain to a song
their laughter was a chorus to his stories
d. : a unanimous utterance by the members of a group, giving the impression of a chorus
the chorus of critical praise
a chorus of boos
•
- in chorus
II. verb
( chorused also chorussed ; chorused also chorussed ; chorusing also chorussing ; choruses also chorusses )
intransitive verb
: to sing or make utterance in chorus
transitive verb
1. : to furnish with a chorus
2. : to sing (a song) in chorus
3. : to utter (as a greeting) together or simultaneously : echo
they chorused their agreement with his views