pas de quatre

noun

pas de qua·​tre ˌpä-də-ˈkat How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
-ˈka-trə,
-ˈkätrᵊ How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
plural pas de quatre ˌpä-də-ˈkat How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
-ˈka-trə,
-ˈkätrᵊ How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
: a dance or figure for four performers

Examples of pas de quatre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This season, the Act 2 pas de quatre, a speedy and demanding divertissement for three women and one man, was cut to help streamline the ballet. New York Times, 25 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pas de quatre.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, step for four

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pas de quatre was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near pas de quatre

Cite this Entry

“Pas de quatre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pas%20de%20quatre. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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