courante
1
9.9
A lively court dance from the 1500s and 1600s in three-beat time
- noun
- /kuˈrɑːnt/
- Archaic
:
courante
- During the dance performance, the couple elegantly executed the courante, showcasing its lively steps.
Examples
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Would you mind... playing the Courante for me?
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[playing Bach Courante]
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Johann Sebastian Bach's Courante requires great discipline, tempo giusto.
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At the gala, they performed a captivating courante, which had everyone clapping along with the rhythm.
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In the 17th-century ball, the courante was a highlight, celebrated for its swift advances and playful retreat.
How Lively
Surface Forms
Etymology
Courante comes from the French courant meaning 'running', and from the Latin currere 'to run', like the English word current. Think of dancers 'running' or moving quickly across the floor at a royal court, which is why a courante is a lively court dance.