courante

cou·rante

noun \ku̇-ˈränt, -ˈrant\

Definition of COURANTE

1

: a dance of Italian origin marked by quick running steps

2

: music in quick triple time or in a mixture of ³⁄₂ and ⁶⁄₄ time

Origin of COURANTE

Middle French, from courir to run, from Latin currere

First Known Use: 1586

Rhymes with COURANTE

avaunt, bacchant, bacchante, bouffant, détente, entente, Fremont, gallant, grandaunt, piedmont, Piedmont, piquant, romaunt, savant, sirvente, Vermont

courante

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

(from Latin currere, “to run”) Court dance of the 16th century, fashionable in European ballrooms into the 18th century. It was originally performed with small back-and-forth springing steps, which later became stately glides. Danced to music in quick triple time, the courante followed the allemande and later became part of the musical suite.