Definition of "antimasque" [antimasque]

• A comic or grotesque dance presented before or between the acts of a masque. (noun)

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• "An antimasque of reapers and nymphs dances a graceful dance."
• "But under James I stage witches remained figures of irrational stupidity — as in Ben Jonson's antimasque to The Masque of Queens, where the witches represented "Ignorance, Credulity, &c, the opposites to good Fame.""
• "But Jonson gave dramatic value to the masque, especially in his invention of the antimasque, a comedy or farcical element of relief, entrusted to professional players or dancers."