cotillion

American  

[kuh-til-yuhn, koh-] / kəˈtɪl yən, koʊ- /

noun

1. a formal ball given especially for debutantes.

2. a lively French social dance originating in the 18th century, consisting of a variety of steps and figures and performed by couples.

3. any of various dances resembling the quadrille.

4. music arranged or played for these dances.

5. a formalized dance for a large number of people, in which a head couple leads the other dancers through elaborate and stately figures.

---

cotillion British  

/ kəˈtɪljən, kəʊ- /

noun

1. a French formation dance of the 18th century

2. a quadrille

3. a complicated dance with frequent changes of partners

4. a formal ball, esp one at which debutantes are presented

---

Etymology

Origin of cotillion

1760–70; < French cotillon kind of dance, in Old French: petticoat, equivalent to cote coat + -illon diminutive suffix

Explanation

A cotillion is either a dance that originated in France in the 18th century or a ball where debutantes are presented. The earliest sense of this word goes back to France and the 1700's: this cotillion was a dance with complicated steps and movements. This was a quick, lively sort of dance that must have been a lot of fun back in the day. More recently, a cotillion became the name of a ball (dance event) in the United States. Debutantes — young society ladies — are presented at cotillions. So when you think of cotillions, think of fancy-schmancy dances and high society.

Example Sentences

Pink was the color of the gown she was wearing when she died in a buggy crash coming home from a cotillion.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2024

There’s the introduction of the debutantes, the father-daughter dance and a multicourse dinner, but this cotillion — and the production — is far from flawless.

From New York Times • May 12, 2023

He continued: "Cohen's modus operandi seems to be trying to embarrass and shock southern conservative audiences on film. Of course our cotillion friends, having been hoo-dooed into hosting the charade, were humiliated and apologetic."

From Salon • Oct. 27, 2020

I even signed him up for cotillion last spring, and he did great!

From Slate • May 28, 2020

I attended a cotillion last night at the palace.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine