Main Entry:

po·lo·naise

Pronunciation:

\ˌpä-lə-ˈnāz, ˌpō-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from feminine of polonais Polish, from Pologne Poland, from Medieval Latin Polonia

Date:

1773

1: an elaborate short-sleeved overdress with a fitted waist and a draped cutaway overskirt2 a: a stately Polish processional dance popular in 19th century Europe b: music for this dance in moderate ³⁄₄ time

[polonaise illustration]