morris dance

3 definitions found

morris dance - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Morisco \Mo*ris"co\, n. [Sp. morisco Moorish.]
     A thing of Moorish origin; as:
     (a) The Moorish language.
     (b) A Moorish dance, now called morris dance. --Marston.
     (c) One who dances the Moorish dance. --Shak.
     (d) Moresque decoration or architecture.
         [1913 Webster]

  Dance \Dance\, n. [F. danse, of German origin. See Dance, v.
     i.]
     1. The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who
        dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the
        persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord
        with music.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Mus.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the
        minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The word dance was used ironically, by the older
           writers, of many proceedings besides dancing.
           [1913 Webster]
  
                 Of remedies of love she knew parchance
                 For of that art she couth the olde dance.
                                                    --Chaucer.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Dance of Death (Art), an allegorical representation of the
        power of death over all, -- the old, the young, the high,
        and the low, being led by a dancing skeleton.
  
     Morris dance. See Morris.
  
     To lead one a dance, to cause one to go through a series of
        movements or experiences as if guided by a partner in a
        dance not understood.
        [1913 Webster]

morris dance - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  morris dance
      n 1: any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in
           costume [syn: morris dance, morris dancing]