quadrille

/kwə'dril/

Thân thiện

Four couples perform a quadrille at a formal ball.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A square dance for four or more couples: A formal, patterned dance of French origin, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, consisting of five or more distinct figures or sections.
   • Music for this dance: A piece of music composed in 6/8 or 2/4 time to accompany the quadrille dance.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Dance):
  • The ballroom was alive with the steps of a lively quadrille.
  • Learning the intricate figures of the quadrille was essential for high society events.
• Noun (Music):
  • The orchestra struck up a quadrille, and the dancers took their positions.
  • He composed several quadrilles for the court.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Cultural Context: The quadrille was a precursor to modern square dancing and was a staple of formal balls in Europe and America. It often required a caller to announce the figures.
  • The popularity of the quadrille began to wane with the advent of the waltz.

Variants and Related Words

• Quadrille music (n): The specific musical form for the dance.
• Lancers (n): A specific type of quadrille, also for four or more couples, named after the military formation.

Synonyms

• Square dance: A general term for dances in which couples are arranged in a square.
• Formal dance: A broader term for a structured, ceremonial dance.

Related Phrases

• To dance a quadrille: To perform this specific dance.
  • The guests were invited to dance a quadrille after dinner.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a square dance of 5 or more figures for 4 or more couples
2. music for dancing the quadrille