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waltz - 5 dictionary results

waltz

  [wawlts] ,
Use waltz in a Sentence
–noun
1. a ballroom dance, in moderately fast triple meter, in which the dancers revolve in perpetual circles, taking one step to each beat.
2. a piece of music for, or in the rhythm of, this dance.
3. Informal. an easy victory or accomplishment: The game was a waltz—we won by four touchdowns. The math exam was a waltz.
–adjective
4. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the waltz, as music, rhythm, or dance: waltz tempo.
–verb (used without object)
5. to dance or move in a waltz step or rhythm: an invitation to waltz.
6. Informal.
a. to move breezily or casually: to waltz in late for dinner.
b. to progress easily or successfully (often fol. by through): to waltz through an exam.
–verb (used with object)
7. to lead (a partner) in dancing a waltz.
8. Informal. to move or lead briskly and easily: He waltzed us right into the governor's office.
9. to fill (a period of time) with waltzing (often fol. by away, through, etc.): They waltzed the night away.
Origin:
1775–85; back formation from G Walzer a waltz (taken as walz + -er 1 ), deriv. of walzen to roll, dance; cf. obs. E walt unsteady, dial. walter to roll

Related forms:
waltzer, noun
waltzlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To waltz
waltz   (wôlts, wôls)   
n.  
    1. A ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat.
    2. A piece of music for this dance.
    3. An instrumental or vocal composition in triple time.
  2. Informal Something that presents no difficulties and can be accomplished with little effort.
v.   waltzed, waltz·ing, waltz·es

v.   intr.
  1. To dance the waltz.
  2. Slang To move unhesitantly, briskly, and with aplomb: always waltzes into the office 30 minutes late.
  3. Informal To accomplish a task, chore, or assignment with little effort: waltzed through the exams.
v.   tr.
  1. To dance the waltz with.
  2. Slang To lead or force to move briskly and purposefully; march: waltzed them into the principal's office.

[German Walzer, from walzen, to turn about, from Middle High German, to roll, from Old High German walzan; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots.]
waltz'er n.
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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Waltz

Waltz\, n. [G. walzer, from walzen to roll, revolve, dance, OHG. walzan to roll; akin to AS. wealtan. See Welter.] A dance performed by two persons in circular figures with a whirling motion; also, a piece of music composed in triple measure for this kind of dance.

Waltz

Waltz\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Waltzed; p. pr. & vb. n. Waltzing.] To dance a waltz.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : waltz
Spanish: vals,
German: der Walzer, Walzer-…,
Japanese: ワルツ
More Translations »

waltz  (n.)
dance performed to music in triple time, 1781, from Ger. Waltzer, from walzen "to roll, dance," from O.H.G. walzan "to turn, roll," from P.Gmc. *walt- (cf. O.N. velta), from PIE base *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see vulva). Described in 1825 as "a riotous and indecent German dance." The verb is from 1794; meaning "to move nimbly" is recorded from 1862.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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