contredanse
LowFormal / Historical / Specialist (Music & Dance)
Definition
Meaning
A type of folk dance in which couples face each other in long lines, or the music for such a dance.
Historically, a type of formal dance of French origin for several couples, which developed into the quadrille and other 18th-19th century dance forms.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In English, the term is primarily used in historical or musicological contexts to refer to a specific dance form or its accompanying music, most common in discussions of 18th-century European culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally rare and historically specific in both varieties. The spelling is the same. The pronunciation may follow a more Anglicised pattern in the UK and a more French-influenced one in the US.
Connotations
Connotes historical, pastoral, or formal ballroom settings. Associated with classical music, baroque dance, and period dramas.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language. Most likely encountered in history books, classical music concert programmes, or dance history texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [composer/group] played/wrote a contredanse.The [couples/guests] danced a contredanse.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, musicological, or cultural studies texts discussing 18th-century European dance and music.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used in dance notation, music history, and by historical reenactment groups.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The contredanse rhythm is lively and syncopated.
American English
- He wrote a contredanse suite for the orchestra.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- At the historical fair, people danced a traditional contredanse.
- The composer included a lively contredanse in his divertimento for wind instruments.
- The transition from the stately minuet to the more egalitarian contredanse reflected broader social changes in the late 18th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the French phrase 'contre la danse' (against the dance) but twisted: a contredanse is where lines of dancers face *against* each other.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL ORDER AS PATTERNED MOVEMENT (the structured, coordinated steps of the dance represent formalised social interaction).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'против танца' (literally 'against dance'). It is a historical loanword; the Russian term is likely 'контрданс' or 'кадриль' (quadrille).
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'contra-dance', 'contredance'. Plural: 'contredanses' (not 'contradances'). Using it as a verb (to contredanse is non-standard).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the word 'contredanse'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Contredanse' is the French-derived term for a type of English 'country dance' that became popular in 18th-century France and was later re-imported to England in a more stylised form.
It would sound highly unusual and specialised. In most contexts, 'folk dance' or a specific dance name (e.g., 'square dance') would be more appropriate unless you are specifically discussing historical dance forms.
The standard plural is 'contredanses', following the French pattern, though it is so rarely used that it seldom occurs.
In British English, it's approximately KON-truh-dahns. In American English, it's closer to KAHN-truh-dans. The final 'e' is silent.