branle

branle [bran-l] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. a lively 16th- and 17th-century round dance originating in France.
2. the music for this dance.

Origin of branle 1575–85; Middle French, derivative of branler to shake, swing (probably from the phrase branler une danse), Old French bran(s)ler to move (a limb, the head), contraction of brandeler to shake, equivalent to brand(ir) to brandish + -eler suffix of expressive verbs Vulgar Latin *-illāre Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Examples from the Web for branle Historical Examples of branle

The baby who has not swung in a branle does not know the quintessence of baby luxury.

Bayou Folk

Kate Chopin

All but Bibine, who was left swinging in his branle with only Loka for company.

Bayou Folk

Kate Chopin

It was originally a branle of Poitou, derived from the Courante.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9

Various

The Branle in its original form had steps like the Allemande.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9

Various

Each returning sabbath saw Whitehall lighted up, and heard the tabors sound for a branle, (Anglicised ‘brawl’).

The Wits and Beaux of Society

Grace Wharton and Philip Wharton

British Dictionary definitions for branle branle noun

1. an old French country dance performed in a linked circle

Word Origin for branle C17: from Old French branler to shake, variant of brandir to brandish Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012