Cotillion

Quick meaning: Cotillion is a noun meaning (dance) A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles.

Meaning

(dance) A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles.

More Meanings

1. (music) The music regulating the cotillion.
2. (textiles) A kind of woollen material for women's skirts.
3. (intransitive, rare) To dance the cotillion.
4. (US) Ellipsis of cotillion ball, a coming-of-age party meant to present girls newly transitioned into womanhood to the community for courtship.

Example Sentences

But now, WASP's want their place in the multicultural sun. Social rituals are social rituals. If there is Kwanzaa, why not cotillions?

The second figure [of the dance] commenced, and I made a sad bungle; so I did of the third, and fourth, and fifth, for I never had danced a cotillon.

Mrs. Hughes now joined them, and asked Miss Tilney if she was ready to go. "I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon," said Catherine. "Shall you be at the cotillion ball tomorrow?"

"Well," I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, "he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one." / "So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?" / I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.

Word Forms

• cotillions
• cotillon
• cotillioning
• cotillioned

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dance, prom, ball, homecoming, lancers, quadrille.

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