sword dance

sword dance

noun

Definition of SWORD DANCE

1

: a dance performed by men in a circle holding a sword in the right hand and grasping the tip of a neighbor's sword in the left hand

2

: a dance performed over or around swords

— sword dancer noun

First Known Use of SWORD DANCE

1604

Rhymes with SWORD 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, square dance, step dance, sun dance, tap dance, tea dance, toe dance, war dance

sword dance

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Folk dance by men, with swords or two-handled blades, expressing themes such as human and animal sacrifice for fertility, battle mime, and defense against evil spirits. It originated in Greek and Roman times. A sword dance appeared in Germany in 1350 and later was part of the court ballet when mock battles were staged. The Scottish sword dance is a descendant of the early crossed-sword dances, and the Morris dance retains remnants of the sword dance. Outside of Europe, such dances are found in India, Borneo, and the Balkans.