quadrille

noun

qua·drille | \ kwä-ˈdril

, kwə-, kə-\

Definition of quadrille

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a four-handed variant of ombre popular especially in the 18th century

2 : a square dance for four couples made up of five or six figures chiefly in ⁶/₈ and ²/₄ time also : music for this dance

quadrille

adjective

Definition of quadrille (Entry 2 of 2)

: marked with squares or rectangles

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about quadrille

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Did You Know?

The quadrille, named for its four couples that form the sides of a square, seems to have begun as a French country dance. In the 18th century it became fashionable among the French nobility; as performed by elegantly dressed aristocrats, it became slow and formal. It crossed over to England and from there to New England, where it turned back into a dance for the common people. It soon evolved into the American square dance, a lively type of dance that employs a "caller" to make sure everyone remembers the steps.

Examples of quadrille in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

After a pre-ball dance lesson, Bangers & Mash waltzes, polkas, mixers, quadrilles, country & contra dances, and other popular 19th-century couple and set dances. — Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, "S.F. Bay Area calendar: Greek festival, comedy and more," 25 Aug. 2019 The dance is a traditional mid-19th century dance featuring contras (reels), quadrilles (squares) and novelty (circle) dances that were once common. — Joy Davis, Aurora Beacon-News, "Garfield Farm Museum celebrates 1841 farm purchase with Contra Dance," 6 July 2017 Every weekday at noon, in a ritual as formalized as a quadrille, Page Six names descended on what was now being called the Grill Room, took a seat at their customary table and dined — abstemiously. — William Grimes, New York Times, "Four Seasons, Lunch Spot for Manhattan’s Prime Movers, Moves On," 8 July 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quadrille.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for quadrille

Noun

French, group of knights engaged in a carousel, from Spanish cuadrilla troop, from diminutive of cuadra square, from Latin quadra, quadrum

Adjective

French quadrillé

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More Definitions for quadrille

quadrille

noun

English Language Learners Definition of quadrille

: a dance for four couples who each form one side of a square

See the full definition for quadrille in the English Language Learners Dictionary

quadrille

Definition of quadrille

Did You Know?

Examples of quadrille in a Sentence

First Known Use of quadrille

History and Etymology for quadrille

English Language Learners Definition of quadrille

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