Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN'TER-LUDE, n. [L. inter and ludus, play.]

An entertainment exhibited on the stage between the acts of a play, or between the play and the afterpiece, to amuse the spectators, while the actors take breath and shift their dress, or the scenes and decorations are changed. In ancient tragedy, the chorus sung the interludes. In modern times, interludes consist of songs, feats of activity, dances, concerts of music, &c. Encyc.