strathspey

A group of dancers performs a traditional strathspey in a grand wooden hall.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of Scottish dance: "strathspey" refers to a slow, stately Scottish dance, typically performed in 4/4 time, characterized by a dotted rhythm and a gliding step.
   • Music for this dance: "strathspey" also denotes the musical composition written to accompany this dance, often featuring a distinctive "Scotch snap" rhythm (a short note followed by a longer one).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ceilidh featured a lively strathspey that everyone joined in. (A traditional Scottish dance performed at a social gathering.)
  • The fiddler played a beautiful strathspey before the reel. (A piece of music composed for the strathspey dance.)

Advanced Usage

• "strathspey step": the specific footwork pattern used in performing this dance.

  • She practiced the strathspey step until it was smooth and graceful. (The particular dance step associated with the strathspey.)

• "strathspey rhythm": the characteristic dotted rhythm with short-long note patterns.

  • The composer used a strathspey rhythm to give the piece a traditional Scottish feel. (The musical timing typical of this dance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Strathspey reel (n): a faster, more energetic dance often following a strathspey in Scottish dance sets.
  • After the slow strathspey, they danced a vigorous strathspey reel. (A quicker version of the dance.)

Synonyms

• Scottish dance: a general term for dances originating in Scotland.
• Highland dance: a broader category of Scottish folk dances, of which the strathspey is a specific example.

Related Idioms

• "Strathspey and reel": a common pairing in Scottish dance music, referring to the two contrasting tempos.
  • The band played a set of strathspey and reel to keep the dancers moving. (The two dances performed sequentially.)