terpsichorean
- noun
- /ˌtɜːrpˈsɪkəˌriːən/
- Archaic
:
terpsicoreano
- Many famous terpsichoreans have dedicated their lives to perfecting various dance styles.
Examples
-
I'm no terpsichorean.
-
At the gala, a renowned terpsichorean showcased the beauty of classical ballet.
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Matt Douglas, junior... is going to bring you folks some of the latest terpsichorean dance steps... brand-new, brought by him directly from New York City.
-
The terpsichorean captivated the audience with her graceful movements during the performance.
Synonyms
514
1.0
A person who moves their body to music
8
2.7
A person who dances for money as their job
1
7.7
A dancer who performs precise, fast footwork in shows or contests
A person who dances well on stage
How Professional
- Archaic
514
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
terpsichorean = Terpsichore (opaque) = Terpsichore + an
The word is historically formed from the proper name 'Terpsichore' plus '-an', but that classical reference is not recoverable for most learners from the surface form alone.
Etymology
Terpsichorean comes from the Greek muse Terpsichore, whose name joins a word for 'delight' and choros meaning 'dance' or 'chorus'. So a terpsichorean is literally a 'delight in dance', which explains why it means a professional dancer.