In`ter*lude (?), n. [OE. enterlude, LL. interludium; LL. inter between + ludus play, fr. ludere to play: cf. F. interlude. See Ludicrous.]
1.
A short entertainment exhibited on the stage between the acts of a play, or between the play and the afterpiece, to relieve the tedium of waiting.
Dreams are but interludes, which fancy makes
When monarch reason sleeps.
Dryden.
2.
A form of English drama or play, usually short, merry, and farcical, which succeeded the Moralities or Moral Plays in the transition to the romantic or Elizabethan drama.
3. Mus.
A short piece of instrumental music played between the parts of a song or cantata, or the acts of a drama; especially, in church music, a short passage played by the organist between the stanzas of a hymn, or in German chorals after each line.
© Webster 1913.