chaconne

chaconne Definition

cha·conne (s̸ha kän′; Fr s̸hȧ kō̂n′)

noun

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.
music for this dance
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

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

chaconne Usage Examples

Converse of object

play: Here's the ground bass [ keyboard ] ; and we'll now play the whole chaconne.

Noun used with modifier

harpsichord: Ng's arrangement of an anonymous harpsichord chaconne is especially striking.

Browse dictionary entries near chaconne