chaconne

[ sha-kawn, -kon, shah-; French sha-kawn ]

noun

, plural cha·connes [sha-, kawnz, -, konz, shah-, sh, a, -, kawn].

1. an ancient dance, probably of Spanish origin, in moderate triple meter.
2. a musical form based on the continuous variation of a series of chords or of a ground bass.

chaconne

/ ʃəˈkɒn; ʃakɔn /

noun

1. See passacaglia
   a musical form consisting of a set of continuous variations upon a ground bass See also passacaglia
2. archaic.
   a dance in slow triple time probably originating in Spain

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaconne¹

1675–85; < French < Spanish chacona

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaconne¹

C17: from French, from Spanish chacona, probably imitative of the castanet accompaniment

Example Sentences

It is almost a sacrilege to hear a little girl venturing to approach the Chaconne.

From Project Gutenberg

"Write me the music of a chaconne, Monsieur Gluek," said the god of dancing.

From Project Gutenberg

He has given the greatest performance of the celebrated Bach chaconne ever heard in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you think the Greeks, whose manners we are endeavoring to depict, knew what a chaconne was?

From Project Gutenberg

It is quite remarkable that some pages of this work, such as the superb chaconne at the end, have a character quite Handelian.

From Project Gutenberg