Dance | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Dänçe, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. DANCED (dänst); p. pr. & vb. n. DANCING.] [Fr. danser, Sp. danzar, Pg. dançar, Pr. dansar, It. danzare, from O. H. Ger. dansōn, to draw, from dinsan, to draw, O. Sax. & Goth. thinsan, Prov. Ger. dinsen, densen; but D. danse, Sw. dansa, Dan. dandse, Ger. tanzen, to dance, are derived from the Romance words.]

Sense 1. To leap or move with measured steps, or to a musical accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company with others, with a regulated succession of movements, to the sound of music.

Good shepherd, what Fair swain is this which dances with your daughter? Shak.

Sense 2. To move nimbly or merrily up and down, or back and forth; to express pleasure by motion; to caper; to frisk.

More dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw. Shak.

Shadows in the glassy waters dance. Byron.

To dance in a rope, or to dance on nothing, to be hanged.

Dance, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To cause to dance, or move nimbly or merrily about, or up and down; to dandle.

To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind. Shak.

Thy grandsire loved thee well; Many a time he danced thee on his knee. Shak.

To dance attendance, to stand and wait obsequiously; to be or remain in waiting, with a view to please or gain favor.

A man of his place, and so near our favor, To dance attendance on their lordships' pleasure. Shak.

Dănce, n.

noun

n. 1. A leaping or stepping with motions of the body adjusted to the measure of a tune: a lively, brisk exercise or amusement, in which the movements of the persons are regulated by art, in figures and by the sound of instruments. 2. (Mus.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, &c.