OR'CHESTRA, n. [L. orchestra; Gr. a dancer, to dance; originally, the place for the chorus of dancers.] 1. The part of a theater or other public place appropriated to the musicians. In the Grecian theaters, the orchester was a part of the stage; it was of a semicircular form and surrounded with seats. In the Roman theaters, it was no part of the scena, but answered nearly to the pit in modern play houses, and was occupied by senators and other persons of distinction.2. The body of performers in the orchester.
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