nautch

[ nawch ]

/ nɔtʃ /

(in India) an exhibition of dancing by professional dancing girls.

Also called nautch dance. a sinuous Oriental dance resembling the cooch.

Origin of nautch

1800–10; < Hindi nāch < Prakrit nachcha dancing

The Nautch girls retired, and the "Nautch," as such an occasion is called, was ended.

Across India |Oliver Optic
The former, which stands highest in public estimation is probably derived from the Nautch dances of India.

The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe |Ernest Young
The great artist has painted Nautch girls twisting their floating scarves, and jugglers throwing poignards into the air.

Serge Panine, Complete |Georges Ohnet
The party were conducted to the grand and lofty apartment where the Nautch was to be given.

Across India |Oliver Optic

And I spoke as might an Eastern despot giving his orders for a "nautch;" and then, waving my hand, motioned the messenger away.

A Day's Ride |Charles James Lever

nautch

/ (nɔːtʃ) /

C18: from Hindi nāc, from Sanskrit nrtya, from nrtyati he acts or dances