contredanse

[kon-truh-dans, -dahns, kawn-tr^uh-dahns]

noun

plural

contredanses 

1. a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.

2. a piece of music suitable for such a dance.

contredanse

/ ˈkɒntrəˌdɑːns /

noun

1. a courtly Continental version of the English country dance, similar to the quadrille

2. music written for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

1795–1805; < French, equivalent to contre- counter- + danse dance, misrendering of English country-dance, by association with the characteristic arrangement of dancers in rows facing each other

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

C19: from French, changed from English country dance; country altered to French contre (opposite) by folk etymology (because the dancers face each other)

Example Sentences

Many sections resemble contredanse or quadrille: ballroom arrangements of circles, lines, stars; dancers holding hands as they pass.

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This leads into the final number, a contredanse, the French version of English country dancing.

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The habanera and its contredanse antecedents had a highly distinctive accompanying rhythm of four beats, which in musical notation - as in the opening of the Bizet song - looks like this.

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Two contredanse movements with idiosyncratic rhythms and instrumental colorings — and exuberant foot stomping — revealed an unexpected kinship with the contemporary piece by Mr. Andres.

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Less than a month after mid-summer, the hour was not so much into morning, and there were some tireless votaries of Terpsichore inclined for still another contredanse, by way of wind up.

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