\Vaude"ville\, n.
Loosely, and now commonly, variety (see above), as, to play
in vaudeville; a vaudeville actor.

\Vaude"ville\, n. [F., fr. Vau-de-vire, a village in
Normandy, where Olivier Basselin, at the end of the 14th
century, composed such songs.] [Written also {vaudevil}.]
1. A kind of song of a lively character, frequently embodying
   a satire on some person or event, sung to a familiar air
   in couplets with a refrain; a street song; a topical song.

2. A theatrical piece, usually a comedy, the dialogue of
   which is intermingled with light or satirical songs, set
   to familiar airs.

         The early vaudeville, which is the forerunner of the
         opera bouffe, was light, graceful, and piquant.
                                               --Johnson's
                                               Cyc.