dancer Hear it!

Variant of dance

dance Definition

dance (dans, däns)

intransitive verb danced, dancing danc′·ing

  1. to move the body and feet in rhythm, ordinarily to music
  2. to move lightly and gaily; caper
  3. to bob up and down
  4. to be stirred into rapid movement, as leaves in a wind

Etymology: ME dauncen < OFr danser < ? Frank *dintjan, to tremble, move back and forth

transitive verb

  1. to take part in or perform (a dance)
    1. to cause to dance
    2. to cause to move lightly, bob up and down, etc.

noun

  1. rhythmic movement of the body and feet, ordinarily to music
  2. a particular kind of dance, as the waltz, tango, etc.
  3. the art of dancing, esp. as performed in ballet or modern dance
    1. a party to which people come to dance
    2. one round of dancing at such a party
  5. a piece of music for dancing
  6. rapid, lively movement

Related Forms:

dance Idioms

dance attendance on

to be always near so as to wait on, lavish attention on, etc.

dance to another tune

to alter one's actions or opinions as a result of changed conditions
dancer Synonyms

dancer

n.

terpsichorean, danseur, danseuse (both French), ballerina, prima ballerina, danseur noble, premier danseur, première danseuse (all French), coryphée, figurant, figurante, chorus girl, chorine*, chorus boy, geisha; ballet, tap*, toe*, hula*, belly*, taxi*, go-go*, folk*, square*, modern*, flamenco*, ballroom*, etc., dancer; hoofer*, stripper*, rock-and-roller*; see also actor 1, actress.

dancer Quotes

Curled minion, dancer, coiner of sweet words!

—Arnold, Matthew

O chestnut tree, great-rooted blossomer, Are you the leaf, the blossom, or the bole? O body swayed to music,O brightening glance, How can we know the dancer from the dance?

—Yeats,W(illiam) B(utler)

From wrong to wrong the exasperated spirit Proceeds, unless restored by that refining fire Where you must move in measure, like a dancer.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And hewhistled, andshouted, and called thembyname; 'Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!'

—Moore, Clement