Cho"rus (?), n.; pl. Choruses (#). [L., a dance in a ring, a dance accompanied with song; a chorus, a band of dancers and singers. Gr. . See Choir.]
1. Antiq.
A band of singers and dancers.
The Grecian tragedy was at first nothing but a chorus of singers.
Dryden.
2. Gr. Drama
A company of persons supposed to behold what passed in the acts of a tragedy, and to sing the sentiments which the events suggested in couplets or verses between the acts; also, that which was thus sung by the chorus.
What the lofty, grave tragedians taught
In chorus or iambic.
Milton.
3.
An interpreter in a dumb show or play.
[Obs.]
4. Mus.
A company of singers singing in concert.
5. Mus.
A composition of two or more parts, each of which is intended to be sung by a number of voices.
6. Mus.
Parts of a song or hymn recurring at intervals, as at the end of stanzas; also, a company of singers who join with the singer or choir in singer or choir in singing such parts.
7.
The simultaneous of a company in any noisy demonstration; as, a Chorus of shouts and catcalls.
© Webster 1913.
Cho"rus, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Chorused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Chorusing.]
To sing in chorus; to exclaim simultaneously.
W. D. Howells.
© Webster 1913.