dance

English

/dæns/, [dɛəns], [dæns], [dæːns], /dɑːns/, [dɑːns], [däːns]

noun
Definitions
  • A sequence of rhythmic steps or movements usually performed to music, for pleasure or as a form of social interaction.
  • A social gathering where dancing is the main activity.
  • (heraldiccharge) A normally horizontal stripe called a fess that has been modified to zig-zag across the center of a coat of arms from dexter to sinister.
  • A genre of modern music characterised by sampled beats, repetitive rhythms and few lyrics.
  • (uncountable) The art, profession, and study of dancing.
  • A piece of music with a particular dance rhythm.
  • (figurative) A battle of wits, especially one commonly fought between two rivals.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English dauncen derived from dauncer derived from Frankish *þansōn (gesture, draw, stretch out, pull) derived from *þansōn.

Origin

*þansōn

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms