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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

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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

Fineman is our very own Danny Kaye; like him, her physical comedy comes from a terpsichorean place.

From New York Times ● Dec. 26, 2023

“The terpsichorean abilities of the ballet equaled the wonderful voices of the chorus. The ballet pictures and dances … were enhanced by the dancers wearing their colorful national costumes.”

From Washington Post ● Mar. 2, 2022

And if terpsichorean pyrotechnics were at a minimum, there were some orchestrated manoeuvres in the dark, including occasional random jogs around the stage.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 24, 2016

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

This was indeed a new phase of Spiritualism: the terpsichorean spiritualists generally let their tables do the dancing for them, as Eastern potentates hire their dancing-girls.

From Mystic London: or, Phases of occult life in the metropolis by Charles Maurice Davies

In Dallas the big story was the annual Terpsichorean Ball.

From Time Magazine Archive

Laurie followed, for the second time in his life wishing that the Terpsichorean art had been included in his education!

From The Turner Twins by Ralph Henry Barbour

If the offering up of pigeons or of lambs could have 89 propitiated the gods who presided over the Terpsichorean art, Mr. Sutton’s domestic altars would have been reeking with sacrifice.

From The Wayfarers by Mary Stewart Doubleday Cutting

My education in 'the light fantastic' has been extremely limited, and my acquaintances will testify that nature has not adapted me to achievements in the Terpsichorean art.

From Overland through Asia; Pictures of Siberian, Chinese, and Tartar Life by Thomas Wallace Knox

In the Terpsichorean divertisements above cited, our author—being, as already observed, obese and elderly—took no share, but looked on good-humouredly, and slily noted the love-passages between the handsome English captains and pretty Canadian girls.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 by Various

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