See Also: dance(medicine)
dance(2)(dictionary)
tap dance(encyclopedia)
dance(1)(dictionary)
sun dance(encyclopedia)
dance(encyclopedia)
war dance(dictionary)
square dance(encyclopedia)
rain dance(encyclopedia)
sword dance(encyclopedia)

dance(2) (iou)



dance verb. [d¨»:ns] ME.
[Old French dancer, (also mod.) danser from Proto-Romance, of unkn. origin.]
verb intrans. Move with rhythmical steps, leaps, glides, and other gestures, usually in time to a musical accompaniment, alone or with a partner or set. ME.
b. Of an animal: perform, after training, simple rhythmic movements. M16.
verb intrans. Of a person or animal: leap, spring, move up and down, from excitement or strong emotion. Of the heart, blood, etc.: move in a lively way. LME.
Tennyson Yniol's heart Danced in his bosom, seeing better days.
verb trans. Perform (dance steps); perform the steps and movements of (a particular dance). LME.
R. Davies Makes you want to grab someone and dance ring-a-ring-o-roses.
verb trans. Move or toss up and down with a dancing jerky motion; dandle. LME.
R. P. Jhabvala She..picked up the child and danced her up and down in her arms.
verb intrans. Of an insect, inanimate thing, etc.: bob up and down, move about, esp. in the air or on the surface of water. M16.
C. P. Snow The midges were dancing over the water. A. Higgins She saw firelight dancing on the kitchen walls and over the ceiling.
verb trans. Lead in a dance, cause to dance; remove, put bring, etc., off, away, to, etc., by dancing. M17.
R. Bolt You'd dance him to the TowerYou'd dance him to the block! A. Mason The music danced him, on and on, towards its consummation.
Phrases: dance ATTENDANCE (on). dance a person off his or her legs: see LEG noun. dance barefoot fig. (of an elder daughter) remain single while a younger daughter is married. dance to a person's tune, dance to a person's pipe, dance after a person's tune, dance after a person's pipe, etc., follow a person's lead, do as a person demands. dance upon nothing arch. be hanged.
danceable adjective (colloq.) suitable for dancing; fit to dance with: M19.