What does "opera" mean?

Additional senses

1. 2.The house where operas are exhibited. Opéra bouffe Etym: [F. opéra opera + bouffe comic, It.buffo], Opera buffa Etym: [It.], light, farcical, burlesque opera. -- Opera box, a partially inclosed portion of the auditorium of an opera house for the use of a small private party. -- Opéra comique Etym: [F.], comic or humorous opera. -- Opera flannel, a light flannel, highly finished. Knight. -- Opera girl (Bot.), an East Indian plant (Mantisia saltatoria) of the Ginger family, sometimes seen in hothouses. It has curious flowers which have some resemblance to a ballet dancer, whence the popular name. Called also dancing girls. -- Opera glass, a short telescope with concave eye lenses of low power, usually made double, that is, with a tube and set of glasses for each eye; a lorgnette; -- so called because adapted for use at the opera, theater, etc. -- Opera hat, a gentleman's folding hat. -- Opera house, specifically, a theater devoted to the performance of operas. -- Opera seria Etym: [It.], serious or tragic opera; grand opera.