Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A formal ball, especially one at which young women are presented to society.
- noun A lively dance, originating in France in the 18th century, having varied, intricate patterns and steps.
- noun A quadrille.
- noun The music for these dances.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A lively French dance, originated in the eighteenth century, for two, eight, or even more performers, and consisting of a variety of steps and figures; specifically, an elaborate series of figures, often known in the United States as the german. The term is now often used as a generic name for several different kinds of quadrille.
- noun Music arranged or played for a dance.
- noun A black-and-white woolen fabric used for women's skirts.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
bold dance performed in groups of eight whereladies lift theirskirts to display theirankles - noun The music regulating the cotillion.
- noun A coming-of-age party meant to present girls newly transitioned into womanhood to the community for
courtship - noun A kind of woollen material for women's skirts.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a ball at which young ladies are presented to society
- noun a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word cotillion.
Examples
-
The cotillion was the ruling dance; the plain waltz and hop waltz came in for their share of favor.
Brook Farm John Thomas Codman
-
Eh? Anyway, a cotillion is a leap-year dance; on such an occasion you are our natural prey!
Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the Flame Clyde Fitch 1887
-
In the United States, a debutante ball is also sometimes called a cotillion or a coming-out party.
-
"The cotillion is a wonderful experience that young women throughout the years have cherished," Dean said.
unknown title 2009
-
Well, this past Saturday I lined up for my first ever 35+ mens open race and first criterium or "cotillion" as my mother in law says of the season.
-
Well, this past Saturday I lined up for my first ever 35+ mens open race and first criterium or "cotillion" as my mother in law says of the season.
Archive 2009-05-01 Bill 2009
-
The "cotillion" or voting materials may be incomplete.
-
The "cotillion" or voting materials may be incomplete.
-
For six weeks before St. Patrick's day, a small group of residents put their best powers of invention and construction into preparation for a cotillion which is like a pageant in its gayety and vigor.
Twenty Years at Hull-House, With Autobiographical Notes 1910
-
As global television is today demonstrating to the world in stark reality, the "Tea Party" is to revolution what a debutante cotillion is to the Vietnam War.
Robert J. Elisberg: The "Tea Party" Is Not Revolting Robert J. Elisberg 2011
artoparts commented on the word cotillion
See also: quadrille and whist.
October 15, 2009