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prance

 - 3 dictionary results

prance

  [prans, prahns] verb, pranced, pranc⋅ing, noun
–verb (used without object)
1. to spring from the hind legs; to move by springing, as a horse.
2. to ride on a horse doing this.
3. to ride gaily, proudly, or insolently.
4. to move or go in an elated manner; cavort.
5. to dance or move in a lively or spirited manner; caper.
–verb (used with object)
6. to cause to prance.
–noun
7. the act of prancing; a prancing movement.
Use prance in a Sentence
Origin:
1325–75; ME prauncen, praunsen (v.); akin to Dan (dial.) pransk spirited, said of a horse

Related forms:
prancer, noun
pranc⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
4, 5. gambol, leap, skip, romp, frolic, frisk.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To prance
prance   (prāns)   
v.   pranced, pranc·ing, pranc·es

v.   intr.

    1. To spring forward on the hind legs. Used of a horse.

    2. To spring or bound forward in a manner reminiscent of a spirited horse.

  2. To ride a horse moving in such a fashion.

  3. To walk or move about spiritedly; strut.

v.   tr.
To cause (a horse) to prance.
n.  The act or an instance of prancing.

[Middle English prauncen.]
pranc'er n., pranc'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

prance 
c.1374, originally of horses, perhaps related to M.E. pranken "to show off," from M.Du. pronken "to strut, parade" (see prank); or perhaps from Dan. dialectal prandse "to go in a stately manner."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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