saint denis
Definition
Proper noun 1. A historical figure in dance: Saint Denis refers to Ruth Saint Denis, an American pioneer of modern dance. She was a dancer, choreographer, and teacher who co-founded a major dance company and school. 2. A place name: Saint Denis is the name of a commune in France, a northern suburb of Paris. It is historically significant as the burial site of French kings and contains a famous Gothic cathedral.
Usage Examples
- Referring to the person:
- The techniques of Saint Denis influenced generations of modern dancers.
- We are studying the work of Saint Denis and Ted Shawn in our dance history class.
- Referring to the place:
- The Basilica of Saint Denis is an architectural masterpiece.
- He lives in Saint Denis, just outside the Paris city limits.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in historical or artistic contexts to denote a specific influential figure or location. When capitalized as "Saint Denis," it almost always refers to the proper noun (the person or the place).
Variants and Related Words
- Ruth Saint Denis: The full name of the dancer, often used for clarity.
- Denishawn: The name of the dance company and school she co-founded with Ted Shawn. This is a portmanteau of their last names.
Synonyms
- For the person: Ruth Denis (her professional name), modern dance pioneer.
- For the place: Commune, suburb, historic town.
Notes on Different Meanings
- The primary distinction is between the person (an American artist) and the place (a French commune). Context usually makes the meaning clear. In discussions of dance history, "Saint Denis" refers to the person. In discussions of French geography, history, or architecture, it refers to the place.
Noun
-
United States dancer and choreographer who collaborated with Ted Shawn (1877-1968)
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