contredanse
[ kon-truh-dans, -dahns; French kawn-truh-dahns ]
/ ˈkɒn trəˌdæns, -ˌdɑns; French kɔ̃ trəˈdɑ̃s /
noun, plural con·tre·dans·es [kon-truh-dan-siz, -dahn-; French kawn-truh dahns] /ˈkɒn trəˌdæn sɪz, -ˌdɑn-; French kɔ̃ˈtrədɑ̃s/.
a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.
a piece of music suitable for such a dance.
Also
contradance.
Origin of contredanse
1795–1805; < French, equivalent to
contre-
counter- +
danse
dance, misrendering of English
country-dance, by association with the characteristic arrangement of dancers in rows facing each other
Words nearby contredanse
contrayerva,
contre-jour,
contre-partie,
contrecoup,
contrecoup injury of brain,
contredanse,
contretemps,
contrib.,
contribute,
contribution,
contributor
Example sentences from the Web for contredanse
British Dictionary definitions for contredanse
contredanse
contradance
/ (ˈkɒntrəˌdɑːns) /
noun
a courtly Continental version of the English country dance, similar to the quadrille
music written for or in the rhythm of this dance
Word Origin for contredanse
C19: from French, changed from English
country dance; country altered to French
contre (opposite) by folk etymology (because the dancers face each other)