Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

ridotto

American  
[ri-dot-oh] / rɪˈdɒt oʊ /

noun

plural

ridottos
  1. a public ball or dance with music and often in masquerade, popular in the 18th century.


ridotto British  
/ rɪˈdɒtəʊ /

noun

  1. an entertainment with music and dancing, often in masquerade: popular in 18th-century England

"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

Etymology

Origin of ridotto

1715–25; < Italian: retreat, resort; redoubt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

My dear Sir, WE came home from the ridotto so late, or rather so early that it was not possible for me to write.

From Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World by Burney, Fanny

To-night, as on the last night in the year, there is generally a ridotto, which means a masked ball.

From The Journal of Countess Fran?oise Krasinska Great Grandmother of Victor Emmanuel by Kasimir Dziekonska (translator)

Ridotto! the devil! a country mayoress at a ridotto!

From The Works of Henry Fielding Edited by George Saintsbury in 12 Volumes Volume 12 by Saintsbury, George

At the ridotto she must equally feign ignorance of modish dancing--she whose nimble feet had tripped to every measure since she could stand alone.

From A Set of Rogues by Barrett, Frank

On the opening of the New Assembly Rooms at Bath, which commenced with a ridotto, Sept.

From Memoirs of the Life of the Rt. Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan — Volume 01 by Moore, Thomas