nautch

[ nawch ]

/ nɔtʃ /

noun

(in India) an exhibition of dancing by professional dancing girls.

Also called nautch dance. a sinuous Oriental dance resembling the cooch.

Nearby words

nauseated, nauseating, nauseous, nausicaä, naut., nautch, nautes, nautical, nautical day, nautical mile, nautiloid

Origin of nautch

1800–10; < Hindi nāch < Prakrit nachcha dancing

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for nautch

The Nautch girls retired, and the "Nautch," as such an occasion is called, was ended.
Across India|Oliver Optic
The former, which stands highest in public estimation is probably derived from the Nautch dances of India.
The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe|Ernest Young
The great artist has painted Nautch girls twisting their floating scarves, and jugglers throwing poignards into the air.
Serge Panine, Complete|Georges Ohnet
The party were conducted to the grand and lofty apartment where the Nautch was to be given.
Across India|Oliver Optic

And I spoke as might an Eastern despot giving his orders for a "nautch;" and then, waving my hand, motioned the messenger away.
A Day's Ride|Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for nautch

nautch

nauch

/ (nɔːtʃ) /

noun

an intricate traditional Indian dance performed by professional dancing girls
(as modifier)a nautch girl

Word Origin for nautch

C18: from Hindi nāc, from Sanskrit nrtya, from nrtyati he acts or dances

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012