Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A dance of persons in costume, especially of persons wearing hoods and dresses tagged with bells; also, any mumming performance in which dancing played a conspicuous part.
- noun A kind of country-dance still popular in the north of England.
- noun Also called Morisco, Moor-dance, and formerly
Moresque dance .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
traditional English folk dance performed by a team ofcostumed dancers, often men but also men and women together or women only, who often wieldsticks orhandkerchiefs . - verb To
perform in such a dance
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in costume
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Thought to be from Moorish + dance. The German Moriskentanz is cognate.
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Examples
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treeseed commented on the word morris dance
Morris dance is an ancient form of English folk dance usually accompanied by music. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers. Sticks, swords and handkerchiefs are also used. Mummers often accompany Morris dancers. It is traditionally part of May Day celebration. It has become a part of Beltane celebration in some forms of modern Wicca ritual.
January 20, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word morris dance
Yup. Check out some wiggy videos on YouTube.
January 21, 2008
travismcdermott commented on the word morris dance
1458 Will of Alice Wetenhale (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/4) f. 205v, Lego Caterine filie mee..iij ciphos argenti sculptos cum moreys daunce cum unico cooperculo ad eosdem.
May 1, 2008
sarra commented on the word morris dance
the below citation reminds me of hearing English words on Indian television! (the more 'hip' a programme, the more English vocabulary creeps in, I think)
May 2, 2008
dontcry commented on the word morris dance
That's funny, the same citation reminds me of "what the hell was THAT?"
May 2, 2008