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waltz

[wawlts] /wɔlts/
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, relating 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.
  1. to move breezily or casually:
    to waltz in late for dinner.
  2. to progress easily or successfully (often followed 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 followed by away, through, etc.):
They waltzed the night away.
Origin of waltz
German
obsolete English
1775-1785
1775-85; back formation from German Walzer a waltz (taken as walz + -er1), derivative of walzen to roll, dance; compare obsolete English walt unsteady, dial. walter to roll
Related forms
waltzer, noun
waltzlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018.
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Examples from the Web for waltzer
Contemporary Examples
Historical Examples

  • A classic instance of this variety of tic is Ros., long known at Bictre as "the waltzer."

    Tics and Their Treatment Henry Meigne
British Dictionary definitions for waltzer

waltzer

/ˈwɔːlsə/
noun
1.
a person who waltzes
2.
a fairground roundabout on which people are spun round and moved up and down as it revolves about a central axis

waltz

/wɔːls/
noun
1.
a ballroom dance in triple time in which couples spin around as they progress round the room
2.
a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance
verb
3.
to dance or lead (someone) in or as in a waltz: he waltzed her off her feet
4.
(intransitive) to move in a sprightly and self-assured manner
5.
(intransitive) (informal) to succeed easily
Derived Forms
waltzlike, adjective
Word Origin
C18: from German Walzer, from Middle High German walzen to roll; compare welter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word Origin and History for waltzer

waltz

v.

1794, from waltz (n.). Meaning "to move nimbly" is recorded from 1862. Related: Waltzed; waltzing.

waltz

n.

dance performed to music in triple time, 1781, from German Waltzer, from walzen "to roll, dance," from Old High German walzan "to turn, roll," from Proto-Germanic *walt- (cf. Old Norse velta), from PIE root *wel- "to turn, revolve" (see volvox). Described in 1825 as "a riotous and indecent German dance."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang definitions & phrases for waltzer

waltz

noun

Something easily accomplished; cinch, piece of cake (1968+)

verb

To move in a smooth, unhurried, yet sprightly manner: Jesse James could have waltzed in there and carted off the patio furniture/ someone waltzing into that wreck that we've grown old with searching (1862+)

The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.
Copyright (C) 2007 by HarperCollins Publishers.
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