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n. 1. a. Stage entertainment offering a variety of short acts such as slapstick turns, song-and-dance routines, and juggling performances. b. A theatrical performance of this kind; a variety show. 2. A light comic play that often includes songs, pantomime, and dances. 3. A popular, often satirical song. [French, alteration of Old French vaudevire, occasional or topical light popular song, possibly short for chanson du Vau de Vire, song of Vau de Vire, a valley of northwest France, or perhaps dialectal vauder, to go + virer, to turn; see VEER1.] |
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