morris dance

morris dance
    n 1: any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in
         costume [syn: {morris dance}, {morris dancing}]
    

Morisco \Mo*ris"co\, n. [Sp. morisco Moorish.]
   A thing of Moorish origin; as:
   (a) The Moorish language.
   (b) A Moorish dance, now called {morris dance}. --Marston.
   (c) One who dances the Moorish dance. --Shak.
   (d) Moresque decoration or architecture.
       [1913 Webster]
    

Dance \Dance\, n. [F. danse, of German origin. See {Dance}, v.
   i.]
   1. The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who
      dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the
      persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord
      with music.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Mus.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the
      minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The word dance was used ironically, by the older
         writers, of many proceedings besides dancing.
         [1913 Webster]

               Of remedies of love she knew parchance
               For of that art she couth the olde dance.
                                                  --Chaucer.
         [1913 Webster]

   {Dance of Death} (Art), an allegorical representation of the
      power of death over all, -- the old, the young, the high,
      and the low, being led by a dancing skeleton.

   {Morris dance}. See {Morris}.

   {To lead one a dance}, to cause one to go through a series of
      movements or experiences as if guided by a partner in a
      dance not understood.
      [1913 Webster]