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 overskirt
2 a : a stately Polish processional dance popular in 19th century Europe b : music for this dance in moderate ³⁄₄ time

[polonaise illustration]