ghost dance

noun

1. a ritual dance intended to establish communion with the dead, especially such a dance as performed by various messianic western American Indian cults in the late 19th century.

ghost dance

noun

1. a religious dance of certain North American Indians, connected with a political movement (from about 1888) that looked to reunion with the dead and a return to an idealized state of affairs before Europeans came

Word History and Origins

Origin of ghost dance¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

The Ghost Dance was indulged in, and the feeling of dread and fear spread all over the Western country.

From Project Gutenberg

When night came on the form in white had disappeared—and, returning, the old chief taught the ghost-dance to his people.

From Project Gutenberg

All I have to do is daub a little phosphorus on the dummy and it will be in shape to do the ghost dance.

From Project Gutenberg

The subject staggers into the ring and falls (Mooney, Ghost dance, 925-926).

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, the Paiute, from whom the ghost dance was derived, did not hypnotize.

From Project Gutenberg