ˌäpəˈred.ə, -etə sometimes äˈpre- noun
also op·er·ette |äpə|ret, usu -ed.+V
( -s )
Etymology: Italian, from opera + -etta ette
1. archaic : light opera
2. : a light musical-dramatic production having usually a romantic plot and containing spoken dialogue and dancing scenes ; also : the musical score of such a work