square dance

square dance

noun

Definition of SQUARE DANCE

: a dance for four couples who form the sides of a square

— square–dance intransitive verb

— square dancer noun

— square dancing noun

First Known Use of SQUARE DANCE

1870

Rhymes with SQUARE DANCE

advance, barn dance, by chance, clog dance, closed stance, finance, freelance, lap dance, line dance, main chance, New France, romance, round dance, snake dance, step dance, sun dance, sword dance, tap dance, tea dance, toe dance, war dance

square dance

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Dance for sets of four couples standing in square formation. The most popular type of U.S. folk dance, it derived from the quadrille and was originally called a square dance to distinguish it from the contra, or longways, dance (for a double line of couples) and the round dance (for a circle of couples). The U.S. square dance progresses through specific patterns called or sung out to the dancers by a caller and accompanied by lively music played on instruments such as fiddle, banjo, accordion, guitar, and piano.