afterpiece: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Historical / ObsoleteFormal / Historical
Quick answer
What does “afterpiece” mean?
A short theatrical performance, typically a farce or pantomime, presented after the main play in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short theatrical performance, typically a farce or pantomime, presented after the main play in the 18th and 19th centuries.
By extension, something that follows or concludes a main event, especially if considered less substantial or an addendum.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; term belongs to a shared theatrical history.
Connotations
Historical, old-fashioned, possibly quaint.
Frequency
Equally rare and historical in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “afterpiece” in a Sentence
noun + of + [type] (e.g., an afterpiece of farce)serve as + afterpiecepresent + afterpieceVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in theatre history and literary studies discussing 18th/19th century performance practices.
Everyday
Virtually never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
Specific term in theatre history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “afterpiece”
- Using it to describe a modern short film after a main feature (use 'short' or 'post-credits scene').
- Confusing it with a 'prequel' or 'interlude'.
- Using it as a verb ('to afterpiece').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical term describing a practice common in the 18th and 19th centuries. Modern equivalents might be a 'short' or a 'curtain-raiser', though the latter typically precedes the main show.
Yes, but it is very rare. One might refer to a minor event following a major one as an 'afterpiece', implying it is less substantial or a light-hearted conclusion.
An epilogue is a concluding section of a literary work, often commenting on the story. An afterpiece is a separate, complete (though short) theatrical performance, like a farce or pantomime, presented after the main play has finished.
In American English, it is pronounced /ˈæftərpiːs/, with a flat 'a' sound as in 'cat' for the first syllable.
A short theatrical performance, typically a farce or pantomime, presented after the main play in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Afterpiece is usually formal / historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life is not merely the afterpiece to ambition. (metaphorical use)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think AFTER the main PIECE of theatre. It's the dessert after the main course of a play.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE IS A MEAL (with courses); A MINOR/ADDITIONAL EVENT IS AN AFTERPIECE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'afterpiece' most accurately used?