contredanse

[ kon-truh-dans, -dahns; French kawn-truh-dahns ]

noun

, plural con·tre·dans·es [kon, -tr, uh, -dan-siz, -dahn-, kaw, n, -, truhdahns].

1. a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.
2. a piece of music suitable for such a dance.

contredanse

/ ˈkɒntrəˌdɑːns /

noun

1. a courtly Continental version of the English country dance, similar to the quadrille
2. music written for or in the rhythm of this dance

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

1795–1805; < French, equivalent to contre- counter- + danse dance, misrendering of English country-dance, by association with the characteristic arrangement of dancers in rows facing each other

Word History and Origins

Origin of contredanse¹

C19: from French, changed from English country dance; country altered to French contre (opposite) by folk etymology (because the dancers face each other)

Example Sentences

Many sections resemble contredanse or quadrille: ballroom arrangements of circles, lines, stars; dancers holding hands as they pass.

From New York Times

This leads into the final number, a contredanse, the French version of English country dancing.

From New York Times

The habanera and its contredanse antecedents had a highly distinctive accompanying rhythm of four beats, which in musical notation - as in the opening of the Bizet song - looks like this.

From Literature

Two contredanse movements with idiosyncratic rhythms and instrumental colorings — and exuberant foot stomping — revealed an unexpected kinship with the contemporary piece by Mr. Andres.

From New York Times

Less than a month after mid-summer, the hour was not so much into morning, and there were some tireless votaries of Terpsichore inclined for still another contredanse, by way of wind up.

From Project Gutenberg