Sir Roger de Coverley

American  

noun

1. an English country dance performed by two rows of dancers facing each other.

---

Sir Roger de Coverley British  

noun

1. an English country dance performed to a traditional tune by two rows of dancers facing each other

---

Etymology

Origin of Sir Roger de Coverley

First recorded in 1680–90; earlier Roger of Coverly, apparently a fictional name

Example Sentences

There were English Christmases at Sandringham, where the whole family gathered to sing carols, play charades, Dumb Crambo, Animal Grab and Consequences, and dance the Sir Roger de Coverley.

From Time Magazine Archive

Read from "Sir Roger de Coverley" and from comments upon it from some writers.

From The Complete Club Book for Women Including Subjects, Material and References for Study Programs; together with a Constitution and By-Laws; Rules of Order; Instructions how to make a Year Book; Suggestions for Practical Community Work; a Resume of what Some Clubs are Doing, etc., etc. by Benton, Caroline French

To Vauxhall Addison took Sir Roger de Coverley, and Goldsmith the Citizen of the World, who exclaimed, “Head of Confucius, this is fine! this unites rural beauty with courtly magnificence.”

From Here and There in London by Ritchie, J. Ewing (James Ewing)

Among the many memorial gifts of the Silver Wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales was one which would have delighted Sir Roger de Coverley or the Squire of Bracebridge Hall.

From Speeches and Addresses of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales: 1863-1888 by VII, Edward

The most perfect balance of the art on its familiar side as here represented, and after my Lord Verulam, is to be found, I suppose, in the creation of "Sir Roger de Coverley."

From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest