branle

[ bran-l ]

/ ˈbræn l /

noun

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

the music for this dance.

Nearby words

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for branle

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
The baby who has not swung in a branle does not know the quintessence of baby luxury.
Bayou Folk|Kate Chopin
The branle (not the dance, but as used here) is called Congedium by Anthoine Arena.
Shakespeare and Music|Edward W. Naylor
It was originally a branle of Poitou, derived from the Courante.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9|Various

All but Bibine, who was left swinging in his branle with only Loka for company.
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