from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dance \Dance\ (d[.a]ns), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Danced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dancing}.] [F. danser, fr. OHG. dans[=o]n to draw;
akin to dinsan to draw, Goth. apinsan, and prob. from the
same root (meaning to stretch) as E. thin. See {Thin}.]
1. To 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,
(commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap
rhythmically.
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Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance. --Wither.
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Good shepherd, what fair swain is this
Which dances with your daughter? --Shak.
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2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion;
to caper; to frisk; to skip about.
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Then, 'tis time to dance off. --Thackeray.
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More dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw. --Shak.
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Shadows in the glassy waters dance. --Byron.
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Where rivulets dance their wayward round.
--Wordsworth.
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{To dance on a rope}, or {To dance on nothing}, to be hanged.
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