chaconne

noun

1. 1. a slow, solemn dance in 3/4 time, of Spanish or Moorish origin, similar to the passacaglia
   2. later, a popular social dance in France in the 17th and early 18th cent.
2. music for this dance
3. either of two musical forms developed from this music:
   1. a series of variations based on a short harmonic progression
   2. an expanded rondo form

Origin: Fr < Sp chacona < ? Basque chukun, pretty