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the dance

 - 2 dictionary results

dance

[dans, dahns] verb, danced, danc⋅ing, noun
–verb (used without object)
1. to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, esp. to the accompaniment of music.
2. to leap, skip, etc., as from excitement or emotion; move nimbly or quickly: to dance with joy.
3. to bob up and down: The toy sailboats danced on the pond.
–verb (used with object)
4. to perform or take part in (a dance): to dance a waltz.
5. to cause to dance: He danced her around the ballroom.
6. to cause to be in a specified condition by dancing: She danced her way to stardom.
–noun
7. a successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.
8. an act or round of dancing; set: May I have this dance?
9. the art of dancing: to study dance.
10. a social gathering or party for dancing; ball: Was he invited to the dance?
11. a piece of music suited in rhythm or style to a particular form of dancing: He liked the composer's country dances.
12. Animal Behavior. a stylized pattern of movements performed by an animal, as a bird in courtship display, or an insect, as a honeybee in indicating a source of nectar.
13. the dance, ballet, interpretive dancing, and other dancing of an artistic nature performed by professional dancers before an audience.
14. dance attendance. attendance (def. 4).
15. dance on air, Slang. to be hanged.
16. dance to another tune, to change one's behavior, attitudes, etc.

Origin:
1250–1300; (v.) ME da(u)ncen < AF dancer, dauncer, OF dancier, perh. < OHG *dansjan to lead (someone) to a dance; (n.) ME da(u)nce < AF; OF dance, deriv. of dancier


danc⋅ing⋅ly, adverb


2. cavort, caper, frolic, gambol, prance.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

dance 
c.1300, from O.Fr. dancier, perhaps from Frankish. A word of uncertain origin but which, through French influence in arts and society, has become the primary word for this activity from Spain to Russia. Replaced O.E. sealtian.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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