[far-uh
n-dohl; Fr. fa-rahn-dawl] 
[-dohlz; Fr. -dawl] . | 1. | a lively dance, of Provençal origin, in which all the dancers join hands and execute various figures. |
| 2. | the music for this dance. |
| far·an·dole (fār'ən-dōl') n.
[French, from Provençal farandoulo; akin to Spanish farándula, troupe of traveling comedians.] |
farandole
lively and popular chain dance of Provence and Catalonia. It was mentioned as early as the 14th century and, according to tradition, was taken to Marseille from Greece by Phoenician sailors. Performed on feast days, the farandole is danced by men and women holding hands in a chain. The dancers, following the steps introduced by the chain leader, wind through the streets to the accompaniment of pipes and tabors. The music is in 68 time. The farandole is one of a group of Mediterranean, Balkan, and Middle Eastern chain dances that includes the Romanian hora and the Greek syrtos, and it is related to the medieval carole. The dance of the French Revolution, the carmagnole, was a variety of farandole.
Learn more about farandole with a free trial on Britannica.com.