maxixe

[ mak-seeks; Portuguese mah-shee-shi ]

noun

, plural max·ix·es [mak-, seek, -s, uh, z, mah-, shee, -shis].

1. a ballroom dance originating in Brazil, in moderate duple measure with syncopated rhythms.

maxixe

/ məˈʃiːʃeɪ; məˈʃiːʃ; mækˈsiːks /

noun

1. a Brazilian dance in duple time, a precursor of the tango

Word History and Origins

Origin of maxixe¹

1910–15; < Brazilian Portuguese: literally, West Indian gherkin (allegedly a name given to a Carnival figure, from which the dance took its name), said to be < Kimbundu

Word History and Origins

Origin of maxixe¹

from Brazilian Portuguese

Example Sentences

The habanera’s strict dotted 3 + 1 pattern was handed down to the Spanish zarzuela, the Cuban danzon, the Brazilian maxixe and the Argentinian and Uruguayan tango.

From Literature

Local officials indicated that the debris appeared to have washed up on a sandbank north of the coastal city of Maxixe.

From New York Times

Says the doctor: ‘The latter-day dances, especially the tango and the maxixe, and to some extent the complicated figures of the hesitation waltz, call for great flexibility of the ankle, throughout the various intricate steps.’

From Scientific American

"No cynicism, Maxixe," urges Nordau.

From Project Gutenberg

"Why, what's up, George?" asks in a pleading mid-Victorian timbre the little Maxixe.

From Project Gutenberg