vaudeville

‖n. [ F., fr. Vau-de-vire, a village in Normandy, where Olivier Basselin, at the end of the 14th century, composed such songs. ] [ Written also vaudevil. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A kind of song of a lively character, frequently embodying a satire on some person or event, sung to a familiar air in couplets with a refrain; a street song; a topical song. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A theatrical piece, usually a comedy, the dialogue of which is intermingled with light or satirical songs, set to familiar airs. [ 1913 Webster ]

The early vaudeville, which is the forerunner of the opera bouffe, was light, graceful, and piquant. Johnson's Cyc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. a variety show when performed live in a theater (see above); as, to play in vaudeville; a vaudeville actor. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]