courante

[ koo-rahnt; French koo-rahnt ]

noun

, plural cou·rantes [k, oo, -, rahnts, koo-, rahnt].

1. a dance dating back to the 17th century and characterized by a running or gliding step.
2. a piece of music for or suited to this dance.
3. Music. a movement following the allemande in the classical suite.

courante

/ kʊˈrɑːnt /

noun

1. an old dance in quick triple time
2. a movement of a (mostly) 16th- to 18th-century suite based on this

Word History and Origins

Origin of courante¹

1580–90; < Middle French; literally, running, feminine present participle of courir to run; current

Word History and Origins

Origin of courante¹

C16: from French, literally: running, feminine of courant, present participle of courir to run, from Latin currere

Example Sentences

A French courante differed from the Italian, and certain dances were taken at different tempi in different countries.

From Project Gutenberg

After the Pavane came the Courante, a court dance performed on tiptoe with slightly jumping steps and many bows and curtseys.

From Project Gutenberg

During this time also the ceremonial ball (with all its elaborate detail of courante, minuet and saraband) was cultivated.

From Project Gutenberg

That thought had been growing, and the gavotte, the courante, the pavane becoming rehearsals.

From Project Gutenberg

Courante′, Courant′, an old dance with a kind of gliding step.

From Project Gutenberg