ˈsiŋˌspēl, ˈziŋˌshpēl noun
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: German, from singen to sing (from Old High German singan ) + spiel play, from Old High German spil — more at sing , spiel
: a somewhat dramatic musical work popular in Germany especially in the latter part of the 18th century, usually comic in nature, and characterized by spoken dialogue interspersed with popular or folk songs — compare ballad opera