orchestran.

Etymology: < classical Latin orchēstra ( > French orchestre orchestre n.) area in front of the stage in the ancient Greek theatre where the chorus performed, area in front of the stage in the ancient Roman theatre where the senators sat < ancient Greek ὀρχήστρα the area where the chorus danced < ὀρχεῖσθαι to dance (of uncertain origin: see note) + epenthetic -σ- + -τρα , suffix forming nouns (compare ὀρχηστήρ dancer < ὀρχεῖσθαι + -τηρ , suffix forming agent nouns). In senses 2 and 3 partly after Italian orchestra area in front of the stage in an ancient theatre (1556), area reserved for the musicians in a modern theatre (1598), group of instruments (a1647). Compare also Spanish orquesta (1568), Portuguese orquestra (18th cent.), and French orchestre orchestre n.Ancient Greek ὀρχεῖσθαι has been regarded as an intensive-iterative of ἔρχεσθαι to come, but this is satisfactory neither for the sense nor for the form, since ἔρχεσθαι is itself a derivative present. Another hypothesis compares Sanskrit ṛghāyan(t)- , ṛghāvan(t)- , Avestan ərəγant- acting in a threatening or fear-inspiring manner, but this is also unsatisfactory. The plural form orchestraes (see quot. 1611 at sense 2a) represents the Latin plural orchestrae with the addition of the English plural marker -s. In dictionaries and in verse in the 19th cent. stress varies between the first and the second syllables.