morris dance

[mawr-is, mor-]

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.

morris dance

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• morris dancing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of morris dance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of morris dance¹

C15 moreys daunce Moorish dance. See _Moor

Example Sentences

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

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

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Scarce had she entered upon her anxious surveillance when an incident arose, causing the morris dance to be suddenly interrupted.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

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

Read more on The Guardian