intermedio-

1 of 2

combining form

: intermediate and

intermediolateral

intermedio

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​me·​dio ˌin-tər-ˈme-dē-ō 

-ˈmā-

plural intermedi ˌin-tər-ˈme-dē 

-ˈmā-

or intermedii ˌin-tər-ˈme-dē-ē 

-ˈmā-

: a musical work performed between the acts of a play or opera in Italy from the late 15th century through the 17th century including instrumental music and sometimes singing and dancing

The 1589 intermedii had already included a representation of Mount Helicon, complete with Pegasus on top (second intermedio) and a seascape with Tritons and other sea creatures (fifth intermedio).

—Massimo Ossi, in Opera in Context, 1998

Word History

Etymology

Combining form

Latin intermedius

First Known Use

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined above

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