one-step

/'wʌnstep/

Thân thiện

A couple dances the one-step at a vintage ballroom party.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • An early ballroom dance; precursor to the fox-trot: A lively ballroom dance in 2/4 time, popular in the early 20th century, characterized by a simple pattern of quick steps.

2. Verb:

   • To dance the one-step: To perform this specific dance.

Usage Examples

• Noun: The band played a tune perfect for the one-step.The one-step was a popular dance before the First World War.

• Verb: The couple one-stepped gracefully across the floor.We learned how to one-step in our history of dance class.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: The term is primarily used in historical discussions of early 20th-century social dance. It is rarely used to describe contemporary dancing.

Variants and Related Words

• One-stepper (noun): A person who dances the one-step.

Synonyms

• Ballroom dance (noun, general category).
• Dance (verb, general action).

Notes on Meaning

• The word is a compound noun formed from "one" and "step," directly describing the dance's simple, single-step pattern. As a verb, it is a zero derivation (conversion) from the noun.
• This term is now largely historical and is not commonly used in modern descriptions of dancing unless referring to that specific era or style.

Học thuật

Verb

1. dance the one-step

Noun

1. an early ballroom dance; precursor to the fox-trot