1560s, from Latin chorus "a dance in a circle, the persons singing and dancing, the chorus of a tragedy," from Greek khoros "band of dancers or singers, dance, dancing ground," perhaps from PIE *gher- "to grasp, enclose," if the original sense of the Greek word is "enclosed dancing floor." Extension from dance to voice is because Attic drama arose from tales inserted in the intervals of the dance. In Attic tragedy, the khoros (of 12 or 15 (tragic) or 24 (comedic) persons) gave expression, between the acts, to the moral and religious sentiments evoked by the actions of the play.
When a Poet wished to bring out a piece, he asked a Chorus from the Archon, and the expenses, being great, were defrayed by some rich citizen (the khoregos): it was furnished by the Tribe and trained originally by the Poet himself" [Liddell & Scott]
Originally in English used in theatrical sense; meaning of "a choir" first attested 1650s. Meaning "the refrain of a song" (which the audience joins in singing) is 1590s. As a verb, 1703, from the noun. Chorus girl is 1894.
实用例句
1. "All the best," called the other typists in chorus.
“祝万事如意，”其他打字员齐声喊道。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Caroline sang two verses and the chorus of her song.
卡罗琳唱了她歌曲中的两段和副歌部分。
来自柯林斯例句
3. "I've got an idea," said Edward to a chorus of groans.
“我想到了一个办法，”爱德华在一片哼哼声中说道。
来自柯林斯例句
4. He produced "A Chorus Line", Broadway's longest running show.
他制作推出了《歌舞线上》这一百老汇经久不衰的剧目。
来自柯林斯例句
5. He was greeted with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday.
