saraband
Americannoun
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a slow, stately Spanish dance, especially of the 17th and 18th centuries, in triple meter, derived from a vigorous castanet dance.
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a piece of music for or using the rhythm of this dance, usually forming one of the movements in the classical suite and following the courante.
Etymology
Origin of saraband
1610–20; < French sarabande < Spanish zarabanda, perhaps < Arabic sarband a kind of dance < Persian
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.
Yes, he wrote a saraband in its traditional three-quarter time, but it’s suspended, its feet hovering above the ground with a patient, forlorn, undanceable tune, played by Katia with sensitivity.
From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2022
A saraband starts up, accompanied by a simulated harpsichord: Are the ghosts of vanished dancers being recalled?
From Time Magazine Archive
On through the day, Lyndon and Lady Bird moved, almost ritualistically, as in a stately saraband.
From Time Magazine Archive
There was even jollity in Mr. Samuel's rendition of the saraband of the English Suite.
From Time Magazine Archive
Tracing the scenes long past, in busy dreams Again he wanders by his native streams; Or sits, his evening saraband to sing To the clear Garonne's gentle murmuring.
From The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles, Vol. 1 With Memoir, Critical Dissertation, and Explanatory Notes by George Gilfillan by Gilfillan, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
