I. ˈintə(r)ˌlüd also -)lˌyüd noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin inter- ) of Middle English enterlude, from Medieval Latin interludium, from Latin inter- + ludus play — more at ludicrous
1.
a. : an entertainment of a light or farcical character introduced between the acts of an old mystery or morality play or forming a feature of a festival or fete
b. : one of the farces or comedies derived from these entertainments
2. : a performance or entertainment between the acts of a play
3.
a. : an irrelevant change or happening in a course of events : episode
romantic interlude
b. : an intervening or interruptive space of time or such a feature or event : interval
forests with interludes of open meadow
brief interlude of sanity
interludes of wit and humor in a tragic story
4. : a musical composition inserted between the parts of a musical or dramatic entertainment or religious service ; specifically : a short organ piece played between verses of a hymn or psalm
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to perform an interlude
2. : to occur as an interlude