Definition

1. Noun:
   • An ancient (now obsolete) single-reed woodwind instrument; usually made of bone: A historical musical instrument, a forerunner to instruments like the clarinet, often crafted from animal bone.
   • Music for dancing the hornpipe: A specific type of lively, rhythmic tune, traditionally in 2/4 or 4/4 time, composed to accompany the dance of the same name.
   • A British solo dance performed by sailors: A traditional, energetic solo dance, particularly associated with sailors, characterized by precise, rhythmic footwork and often miming nautical activities.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Instrument):
  • The museum's collection includes a medieval hornpipe made from a sheep's bone.
• Noun (Music):
  • The fiddler struck up a lively hornpipe, and the crowd began to clap along.
• Noun (Dance):
  • The sailor gave an impressive performance of the hornpipe on the ship's deck.

Advanced Usage

• "to dance a hornpipe": To perform the specific sailor's dance.
  • At the festival, he was asked to dance a hornpipe for the audience.

Variants and Related Words

• Hornpiper (n, rare): A person who plays the hornpipe instrument or performs the dance.
  • The skilled hornpiper entertained the court with both music and dance.

Synonyms

• Reel (n, for the music/dance): A type of lively folk dance and its tune, though distinct in origin and style.
• Jig (n, for the music/dance): Another type of brisk folk dance and music, often in compound meter.

Related Phrases

• Sailor's hornpipe: The most common specific name for the dance, emphasizing its nautical association.
  • The performance concluded with a traditional sailor's hornpipe.

Noun

1. an ancient (now obsolete) single-reed woodwind; usually made of bone
2. music for dancing the hornpipe
3. a British solo dance performed by sailors