Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

rigaudon

 - 5 dictionary results

ri⋅gau⋅don

  [Fr. ree-goh-dawn]
Use rigaudon in a Sentence
–noun, plural -dons  [Fr. -dawn] .
rigadoon.

rig⋅a⋅doon

  [rig-uh-doon]
–noun
1. a lively dance, formerly popular, for one couple, characterized by a jumping step and usually in quick duple meter.
2. a piece of music for this dance or in its rhythm.
Also, rigaudon, rigodon.

Origin:
1685–95; < F rigaudon, perh. from name Rigaud
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rigaudon
rig·a·doon   (rĭg'ə-dōōn')   
n.  

  1. A lively jumping quickstep for two couples.

  2. Music for this dance, usually in rapid duple meter.


[French rigaudon, possibly from the name Rigaud.]
ri·gau·don   (rē-gô-dōɴ')   
n.  Variant of rigadoon.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Encyclopedia

rigaudon

sprightly 17th-century French folk dance for couples. Its hopping steps were adopted by the skillful dancers of the French and English courts, where it remained fashionable through the 18th century. Conjecture assigns its origins to Provencal sailors and its name to a Marseille dance master, Rigaud, who reputedly introduced the dance to Parisian society in 1630. As a court dance, it was performed by dancers who ran, turned, and repeated in place a series of jumping steps.

Learn more about rigaudon with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see rigaudon on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way