dance of death
NounWordNet 3.0
Noun (1)
- a medieval dance in which a skeleton representing death leads a procession of others to the graveSynonyms: danse macabre
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord with music. [1913 Webster]
2.(Mus.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc. [1913 Webster]
Note: The word dance was used ironically, by the older writers, of many proceedings besides dancing. [1913 Webster]
Of remedies of love she knew parchance For of that art she couth the olde dance.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
Dance of Death (Art), an allegorical representation of the power of death over all, -- the old, the young, the high, and the low, being led by a dancing skeleton.
Morris dance. See Morris.
To lead one a dance, to cause one to go through a series of movements or experiences as if guided by a partner in a dance not understood. [1913 Webster]