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• terpsichorean
  terpsichorean

  adjective

  pertaining to dancing.
• Terpsichorean
  Terpsichorean

  adjective

  of or relating to dancing or the art of dancing

terpsichorean

American  

[turp-si-kuh-ree-uhn, turp-si-kawr-ee-uhn, -kohr-] / ˌtɜrp sɪ kəˈri ən, ˌtɜrp sɪˈkɔr i ən, -ˈkoʊr- /

adjective

1. pertaining to dancing.

2. Terpsichorean, of or relating to Terpsichore.

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noun

1. a dancer.

Terpsichorean British  

/ ˌtɜːpsɪkəˈrɪən, -ˈkɔːrɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to dancing or the art of dancing

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noun

1. a dancer

Etymology

Origin of terpsichorean

First recorded in 1825–30; Terpsichore + -an

Explanation

If you want to describe your school dance with an impressive adjective, you can call it a terpsichorean party. Terpsichorean describes something that has to do with dancing. You might tell your friend that you're planning something terpsichorean for the big camp talent show. He may have no idea what you mean, but you'll know you're planning to dance. The word terpsichorean comes from Terpsikhore, one of Greek mythology's nine muses. Terpsikhore literally means "enjoyment of dance," and she was the muse known for ruling over dance while playing her lyre.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

terpsichorean Terpsichorean

My own terpsichorean moment came in Zongjiao Lukang Park in the shadow of Potala, where hundreds of locals dance to blaring recorded music.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 30, 2018

And, striking a terpsichorean pose before a wall of mirrors — why, it’s Donna McKechnie, who won a Tony in 1976 for “A Chorus Line.”

From New York Times ● Jun. 14, 2018

We owe profuse thanks to our terpsichorean tutor, Ms. Esther Frances of the Arthur Murray Dance Center on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2014

One terpsichorean will stand triumphant when "So You Think You Can Dance" wraps its 10th season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2014

Success, if possible at all, would be possible only to a highly trained performer, mistress of every device of the terpsichorean art and elaborately schooled in pantomimic expression.

From A Book About the Theater by Brander Matthews

In Dallas the big story was the annual Terpsichorean Ball.

From Time Magazine Archive

Flung back somehow to England, he suddenly turned up as a lecturer on chemistry, and then established a dancing institution and Terpsichorean Athenæum.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 422 Volume 17, New Series, January 31, 1852 by Robert Chambers

"A Terpsichorean personage," replied Dick, with the air of one discussing a grave problem.

From Jack Harkaway and His Son's Escape from the Brigand's of Greece by Bracebridge Hemyng

And Tim’s graceful dancing was a revelation of the possibilities of the Terpsichorean art.

From The Radio Boys at the Sending Station Making Good in the Wireless Room by Allen Chapman

He went home, and the next time the Terpsichorean Society invited him to a dance he declined to go.

From In Connection with the De Willoughby Claim by Frances Hodgson Burnett