branle

[ bran-l ]

/ ˈbræn l /

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noun

a lively 16th- and 17th-century round dance originating in France.

the music for this dance.

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Origin of branle

1575–85; <Middle French, derivative of branler to shake, swing (probably from the phrase branler une danse), Old French bran(s)ler to move (a limb, the head), contraction of brandeler to shake, equivalent to brand(ir) to brandish + -eler suffix of expressive verbs <Vulgar Latin *-illāre

Words nearby branle

Branford, brangle, Brangus, brank, branks, branle, brannigan, branny, Branson, brant, Brantford

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use branle in a sentence

The movement towards the dominant note in this Branle may be regarded as a latent modulation.
The Pianoforte Sonata|J.S. Shedlock
I always enjoyed seeing her dance the Branle de la Torche, or du Flambeau.
Library Of The World's Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 6|Various
Francezka walked the minuet with Count Saxe, and afterward danced in a very merry branle.
Francezka|Molly Elliot Seawell
The branle was at once formed, and Francezka, as on the night before, led it with Count Saxe.
Francezka|Molly Elliot Seawell

The baby who has not swung in a branle does not know the quintessence of baby luxury.
Bayou Folk|Kate Chopin

British Dictionary definitions for branle

branle

/ (ˈbrænəl) /

noun

an old French country dance performed in a linked circle

Word Origin for branle

C17: from Old French branler to shake, variant of brandir to brandish

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