snake dance

or snake-dance

[ sneyk dans ]

noun

1. any ceremonial dance, such as that of the Hopi or Chickasaw people, in which snakes or representations of snakes are handled or imitated by the dancers.
2. a parade or procession, especially in celebration of a sports victory, in which the participants weave in single file in a serpentine course. Compare conga line ( def 3 ).

verb (used without object)

, snake danced, snake danc·ing.

1. to perform a snake dance.

snake dance

noun

1. a ceremonial dance, performed by the priests of the American Hopi Indians, in which live snakes are held in the mouth
2. 1. the swaying movements of snakes responding to a snake charmer
   2. a Hindu dance in which performers imitate such snake movements

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake dance¹

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75

Example Sentences

The Eagles were having a snake dance and their band was parading, the forty pieces blaring triumphantly.

From Project Gutenberg

Meantime the old ceremonies are going strong, the rain falls after the Snake Dance, and the crops grow.

From Project Gutenberg

The Snake Dance, so-called, is the culmination of an eight-days' ceremonial, an elaborate prayer for rain and for crops.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a replica of the Snake Dance, but shorter and simpler, and here corn is carried instead of snakes.

From Project Gutenberg

The writer has seen in the Snake Dance as many as nine groups of three, all circling the plaza at once.

From Project Gutenberg