branle

American  

[bran-l] / ˈbræn l /

noun

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

2. the music for this dance.

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branle British  

/ ˈbrænəl /

noun

1. an old French country dance performed in a linked circle

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

branle

That happiness carries over into the Washerwoman, a branle, or circle dance, that flourished in the countryside.

From New York Times ● Jul. 4, 2013

I returned to the ballroom, and the first thing I saw was Francezka dancing the wildest branle I ever saw with the most graceful abandon imaginable.

From Francezka by Seawell, Molly Elliot

The branle was at once formed, and Francezka, as on the night before, led it with Count Saxe.

From Francezka by Seawell, Molly Elliot

It was originally a branle of Poitou, derived from the Courante.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various

I do not know what hindered me from embracing you before the whole Court last night, when you danced the branle with tapers.

From The Works of Honor? de Balzac About Catherine de' Medici, Seraphita and Other Stories by Balzac, Honor? de