Opera, n.

OPERA, n. A play representing life in another world,

whose inhabitants have no speech but song,

no motions but gestures and no postures but attitudes.

All acting is simulation, and the word

simulation

is from

simia

, an ape; but in opera the actor

takes for his model

Simia audibilis

(or

Pithecanthropos

stentor) -- the ape that howls.

The actor apes a man -- at least in shape;

The opera performer apes an ape.