war dance
a dance preliminary to going into battle or in celebration of a victory, as formerly among American Indians.
Origin of war dance
1Words Nearby war dance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use war dance in a sentence
An Indian chief, excelling all his tribe at a war-dance, could not have outdone the grotesque movements of the colonel.
The Rival Campers | Ruel Perley SmithAunt Maria guessed marriage, and Captain Glover guessed a war-dance; but they had no argument, for the skipper gave in.
Overland | John William De ForestIn a few moments the entire company joined in the wild antics of the war dance.
Three Sioux Scouts | Elmer Russell GregorThey surrounded them, the victor and the vanquished, and danced a war-dance, singing impromptu words.
The Animal Story Book | VariousThe savage war dance is a dramatic representation of battle and as such serves to rouse and reawaken the warlike spirit.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology | Robert E. Park
British Dictionary definitions for war dance
a ceremonial dance performed before going to battle or after victory, esp by certain North American Indian peoples
a dance representing warlike action
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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