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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Dance \Dance\ (d[.a]ns), verb (used without an object) [imp. & p. p. {Danced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dancing}.] [F. danser, fr. OHG. dans[=o]n to draw; akin to dinsan to draw, Goth. apinsan, and prob. from the same root (meaning to stretch) as E. thin. See {Thin}.]
1. To move with measured steps, or to a musical accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company with others, with a regulated succession of movements, (commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap rhythmically.
Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance. --Wither.
Good shepherd, what fair swain is this Which dances with your daughter? --Shak.
2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion; to caper; to frisk; to skip about.
Then, 'tis time to dance off. --Thackeray.
More dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw. --Shak.
Shadows in the glassy waters dance. --Byron.
Where rivulets dance their wayward round. --Wordsworth.
{To dance on a rope}, or {To dance on nothing}, to be hanged.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |