Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A form of popular dance music that originated in Haiti, characterized by Afro-Caribbean rhythms, medium to fast tempos, and electronically amplified instrumentation.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Haitian Creole konpa, from Spanish compás, beat, rhythm, from compasar, to divide into musical measures, from Vulgar Latin *compassāre, to pace off; see compass.]

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