country-dance

[ kuhn-tree-dans, -dahns ]

noun

1. a dance of rural English origin in which the dancers form circles or squares or in which they face each other in two rows.

country dance

noun

1. a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets and perform a series of movements, esp facing one another in a line

Derived Forms

• country dancing, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of country-dance¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

A country-dance was called, and the epicier claimed the fair hand of the gentle Adele.

From Project Gutenberg

Gertrude was standing beside him—they were going to be partners in a country-dance, which was a favourite of Ted's.

From Project Gutenberg

Madam, there's a country dance to the trifle that I sung to-day; your hand, and we'll lead it up.

From Project Gutenberg

Alliances are made and broken as if in a country dance; the English called in, now by this one, now by the other.

From Project Gutenberg

The women met in sewing and quilting bees and apple-parings; the men came for the evening meal and remained for the country dance.

From Project Gutenberg