Sir Roger de Coverley

American  

noun

1. an English country dance performed by two rows of dancers facing each other.

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Sir Roger de Coverley British  

noun

1. an English country dance performed to a traditional tune by two rows of dancers facing each other

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Etymology

Origin of Sir Roger de Coverley

First recorded in 1680–90; earlier Roger of Coverly, apparently a fictional name

Example Sentences

There were English Christmases at Sandringham, where the whole family gathered to sing carols, play charades, Dumb Crambo, Animal Grab and Consequences, and dance the Sir Roger de Coverley.

From Time Magazine Archive

Addison goes on to draw the picture of a witch of the period, ‘Moll White,’ who lived in the neighbourhood of Sir Roger de Coverley, ‘a wrinkled hag, with age grown double.’

From Witch, Warlock, and Magician Historical Sketches of Magic and Witchcraft in England and Scotland by Adams, W. H. Davenport (William Henry Davenport)

From them arises the din of an immense Sir Roger de Coverley, in which the dancers go up and down, interchanging hearts and then all hands round together.

From Historia Amoris: A History of Love, Ancient and Modern by Saltus, Edgar

Picture to yourselves two hundred blue and golden marionettes jigging to Sir Roger de Coverley or bobbing to Come Lasses and Lads.

From The Passionate Elopement by MacKenzie, Compton

"It is really Sir Roger de Coverley, an English dance," said Lady Kay to the Russian princess, who was looking on from the chair next her own.

From The Front Yard by Woolson, Constance Fenimore