ˈvȯd(ə)və̇l, -)ˌvil also ˈvōd- or ˈväd- noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French, alteration (influenced by ville town, city, from Latin villa village) of vaudevire popular satirical song, from vau-de-Vire valley of Vire, locality near Vire, town in northwestern France where such songs were first composed in the 15th century, from vau, val valley + de from, of (from Latin) + Vire — more at village , de- , vale
1. : a popular song often satirical in character
2. : a light often comic theatrical piece frequently combining pantomime, dialogue, dancing, and song
an aria apiece for the rival ladies … and a concluding vaudeville in which all express their desire to cooperate for the greater glory of art — Edward Sackville-West & Desmond Shawe-Taylor
3.
a. : a stage entertainment especially popular in theaters in the early decades of the 20th century that consisted of various unrelated acts following one another in succession and that might include performing animals, acrobats, comedians, dancers, singers, or magicians
b. : something resembling the lightness and frivolity of vaudeville
I have also written three novels … but they are none of them vaudeville — Sinclair Lewis