war dance
- a dance preliminary to going into battle or in celebration of a victory, as formerly among American Indians.
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Origin of war dance
An Americanism dating back to 1705–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for war dance
Historical Examples
Probably then you will dance the war-dance of exasperation on its dismembered remains.
The ForestStewart Edward White
They danced upon the sea of fire as warriors dance the war-dance.
The Book of Nature MythsFlorence Holbrook
He hopped and leaped like a Winnebago chief in the war-dance.
Down The RiverOliver Optic
They supposed it a festival got up for their entertainment, as they would got up a war-dance to please their guests.
George had seen little of the red men and begged them to hold a war-dance.
Historic BoyhoodsRupert Sargent Holland
war dance
- a ceremonial dance performed before going to battle or after victory, esp by certain North American Indian peoples
- a dance representing warlike action
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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