contredanse
[ kon-truh-dans, -dahns; French kawn-truh-dahns ]
/ ˈkɒn trəˌdæns, -ˌdɑns; French kɔ̃ trəˈdɑ̃s /
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noun, plural con·tre·dans·es [kon-truh-dan-siz, -dahn-; French kawn-truhdahns]. /ˈkɒn trəˌdæn sɪz, -ˌdɑn-; French kɔ̃ˈtrədɑ̃s/.
a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.
a piece of music suitable for such a dance.
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Also contradance.
Origin of contredanse
1795–1805; <French, equivalent to contre-counter- + dansedance, misrendering of English country-dance, by association with the characteristic arrangement of dancers in rows facing each other
Words nearby contredanse
contravene, contravention, contrayerva, contrecoup, contrecoup injury of brain, contredanse, contre-jour, cont. rem., contre-partie, contretemps, contrib.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for contredanse
contredanse
contradance
/ (ˈkɒntrəˌdɑːns) /
noun
a courtly Continental version of the English country dance, similar to the quadrille
music written for or in the rhythm of this dance
Word Origin for contredanse
C19: from French, changed from English country dance; country altered to French contre (opposite) by folk etymology (because the dancers face each other)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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