contredanse

American  

[kon-truh-dans, -dahns, kawn-tr^uh-dahns] / ˈkɒn trəˌdæns, -ˌdɑns, kɔ̃ trəˈdɑ̃s /

noun

contredanses plural

1. a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.

2. a piece of music suitable for such a dance.

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contredanse British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• contredanses
  plural

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

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

From Every-Day Errors of Speech by Meredith, L. P.