hornpipe

American  

[hawrn-pahyp] / ˈhɔrnˌpaɪp /

noun

1. an English folk clarinet having one ox horn concealing the reed and another forming the bell.

2. a lively jiglike dance, originally to music played on a hornpipe, performed usually by one person, and traditionally a favorite of sailors.

3. a piece of music for or in the style of such a dance.

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hornpipe British  

/ ˈhɔːnˌpaɪp /

noun

1. an obsolete reed instrument with a mouthpiece made of horn

2. an old British solo dance to a hornpipe accompaniment, traditionally performed by sailors

3. a piece of music for such a dance

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Etymology

Origin of hornpipe

1350–1400; Middle English. See horn, pipe ¹

Example Sentences

“This here is a hornpipe called ‘The Blackbird,’” he explains.

From New York Times • Nov. 8, 2019

Photograph: Allstar Prithee, avert thine brain, for this Canadian-Irish production does dance a merry hornpipe upon the very phizog of historical accuracy.

From The Guardian • Jun. 14, 2013

"He was jigging along to the sailors' hornpipe," added Margaret Fowkes, from Coventry.

From The Guardian • Jun. 4, 2012

But what’s most irresistible is the way he rapidly transfers weight from one foot to another and back, side to side, in a little hornpipe.

From New York Times • Jun. 9, 2010

In a few moments Pickett was doing a hornpipe with Fremantle, and the momentary sadness had passed like a small mist.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara