morris dance

American  

[mawr-is, mor-] / ˈmɔr ɪs, ˈmɒr- /

noun

1. a rural folk dance of north English origin, performed in costume traditionally by men who originally represented characters of the Robin Hood legend, especially in May Day festivities.

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morris dance British  

/ ˈmɒrɪs /

noun

1. Often shortened to: morris.  any of various old English folk dances usually performed by men ( morris men ) to the accompaniment of violin, concertina, etc. The dancers are adorned with bells and often represent characters from folk tales

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Other Word Forms

• morris dancing noun

Etymology

Origin of morris dance

1425–75; late Middle English moreys daunce Moorish dance; Moorish

Example Sentences

We might have to do a big conga line, a big morris dance down to see Dolly.

From BBC

Round and round moved the weaving shifting forms, out of the dark and into the dark, a gray spectral line like a procession of ghosts, or some morris dance of the desert's sheeted dead.

From Project Gutenberg

The lads and lassies sang carols, played at such games as kiss-in-the-ring, and danced the morris dance.

From Project Gutenberg

Will Walford—who among the dramatis personae of the morris dance had performed the rôle of Robin Hood—next presented himself to receive his chapter of instructions.

From Project Gutenberg

There is his dad, watching a morris dance on some distant lawn.

From The Guardian