How Do You Spell CONTRA-DANCE?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒntɹədˈans] (IPA)

The word "contra-dance" may seem confusing in terms of spelling, but its pronunciation can be easily understood through IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "con," is pronounced as "kɒn," while the second syllable, "tra," is pronounced as "træ." The stress is on the first syllable, with the final syllable "dance" pronounced as "dæns." The word refers to a social dance that originated in the 18th century, characterized by long lines of dancers facing each other and performing a series of moves.

CONTRA-DANCE Meaning and Definition

  1. A contra-dance, also known as contradance, is a lively and traditional folk dance that originated in Europe in the 17th century and became popular in North America since the 18th century. It involves a set of paired couples arranged in long lines, facing each other in parallel formation. The couples interact and progress through a series of figures, or moves, as prompted by a caller or a leader.

    Typically danced to live music, often played by a band featuring fiddles, guitars, banjos, and other traditional instruments, contra-dancing is characterized by its energetic and joyful atmosphere. The dance can be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of experience, as it encompasses a range of difficulty levels, from simple to complex figures.

    The structure of a contra-dance consists of a series of repetitions, known as "iterations," each performed to a specific tune. As the dance progresses, couples move up and down the lines, dancing with a new partner in each iteration until returning to their original position. The caller usually provides instructions before each iteration to guide the dancers through the figures, allowing for spontaneity and improvisation within the established framework.

    Contra-dance has maintained its popularity throughout the years due to its inclusive and community-oriented nature. It offers not only a physical activity but also fosters social interaction and camaraderie among participants. The rhythmic patterns, energetic movements, and the sense of unity created through synchronized dancing contribute to the enduring appeal of contra-dance as a vibrant and traditional form of folk dance.

  2. A dance in which the partners are arranged in opposite lines; F. contre-danse, corrupted into country-dance.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for CONTRA-DANCE

  • Contra Dance
  • contradance
  • contredance
  • xontra-dance
  • vontra-dance
  • fontra-dance
  • dontra-dance
  • cintra-dance
  • ckntra-dance
  • clntra-dance
  • cpntra-dance
  • c0ntra-dance
  • c9ntra-dance
  • cobtra-dance
  • comtra-dance
  • cojtra-dance
  • cohtra-dance
  • conrra-dance
  • confra-dance
  • congra-dance

Etymology of CONTRA-DANCE

The word "contra-dance" originates from the French phrase "contredanses", which came into English around the late 18th century. "Contredanses" is a plural form of the French word "contredanse", which roughly translates to "opposite dance" or "dance in opposition". The term refers to a type of social dance in which participants form parallel lines and dance with partners facing each other. Over time, "contredanse" evolved into "contra-dance" in English, and it has been used to describe a specific type of traditional folk dance that became popular in the United States during the 19th century.

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