Definition

Noun: 1. A lively dance originating in France in the 18th century: A formal, intricate ballroom dance for couples, often involving frequent changes of partners and elaborate figures. 2. A ball at which young ladies are presented to society: A formal debutante ball, traditionally marking the introduction of young women to upper-class society.

Usage Examples

• Meaning 1 (The dance):
  • The dancing master taught them the steps of the cotillion.
  • At the grand ball, the orchestra played a melody for a cotillion.
• Meaning 2 (The debutante ball):
  • She made her society debut at the annual cotillion.
  • The charity cotillion is one of the most anticipated social events of the season.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe any complex or intricate series of activities or maneuvers.
  • The political negotiations were a delicate cotillion of alliances and compromises.

Variants and Related Words

• Cotillion (alternative spelling): The more common modern spelling.
• Cotillon (archaic spelling): The original French spelling, now less common in English.

Synonyms

• For the dance: Ballroom dance, formal dance.
• For the event: Debutante ball, coming-out party, formal ball.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lead the cotillion: To be the primary or most important person in a social situation or series of events. (Derived from the dance, where a leader often guides the figures).
  • As the CEO, she led the cotillion of merger talks.

Noun

1. a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century
2. a ball at which young ladies are presented to society