com·me·dia dell'ar·te (k ə-m ā′d ē- ə d ĕl-är t ē, -t ĕ, -m ĕd ′ē- ə)
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n. A type of comedy developed in Italy in the 16th and 17th centuries and characterized by improvisation from a standard plot outline and the use of stock characters, often in traditional masks and costumes.
[Italian : commedia, comedy + dell'arte, of the guild, professional (from arte, art, craft, guild).] (click for a larger image) commedia dell'arteThe Actors of the Commedia dell'Arte by Nicolas Lancret (1690-1743) |