contredanse

[ kon-truh-dans, -dahns; French kawn-truh-dahns ]

noun

, plural con·tre·dans·es [kon, -tr, uh, -dan-siz, -dahn-, kaw, n, -, truhdahns].

1. a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.
2. a piece of music suitable for such a dance.

contredanse

/ ˈkɒntrəˌdɑːns /

noun

1. a courtly Continental version of the English country dance, similar to the quadrille
2. music written for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

C19: from French, changed from English country dance; country altered to French contre (opposite) by folk etymology (because the dancers face each other)

Example Sentences

Flocks of old gulls, enormous as hens, fluttered with evolutions like a contredanse upon its glossy surface.

From Project Gutenberg

The contredanse represented was originally the old country dance exported to France and returned with certain arrangements added.

From Project Gutenberg

"Amidst more youthful engagements, don't forget you are engaged to me for a contredanse," she said.

From Project Gutenberg

Contredanse is the French original, and means that the parties stand opposite to each other.

From Project Gutenberg

The French contredanse was borrowed from the English country-dance.

From Project Gutenberg