nautch
- noun
- /nɔːtʃ/
- Archaic
- During the festival, the nautch dancers entertained the guests with their elaborate choreography.
Examples
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The performance featured a stunning nautch that captivated the audience with its graceful movements.
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Extraordinary. - Steyne the Pasha and his nautch girls. -
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She's my roommate– a nautch dancer.
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She trained for years to master the art of nautch, showcasing the rich tradition of Indian dance.
Synonyms
A traditional Indian dance performed by skilled women to entertain guests at royal courts and gatherings
A traditional Indian dance performed by trained women dancers at festivals and social events
Compounds
- Archaic
A woman who performs traditional Indian dances for money, often in colonial times
- Archaic
A traditional Indian dance performed by trained women dancers at festivals and social events
Surface Forms
Etymology
Nautch comes from the Hindi and Urdu word naach, which means 'dance'. English speakers in colonial India used nautch for formal performances by professional women, so the word still means a traditional Indian dance.