minuet
UK: ˌmɪnjuˈet | US: ˌmɪnjuˈet
n. a slow, graceful dance in triple time, popular in the 17th–18th centuries
n. the music composed for or accompanying this dance
minuet = minu<small> + et<diminutive suffix>
- minu<small> (from French menu, meaning "small, delicate")
- et<diminutive suffix> (French suffix indicating something petite or refined)
Etymology Origin:
The word minuet originates from the French menuet, derived from menu ("small") + -et (a diminutive suffix). This reflects the dance's delicate, precise steps compared to larger, more vigorous dances of the era. The term entered English in the 17th century, retaining its association with elegance and refinement.
The ballroom dancers performed a minuet with perfect precision.
Mozart composed several minuets for aristocratic gatherings.
She practiced the minuet’s intricate footwork for hours.
The minuet was a staple of Baroque courtly entertainment.
His composition blended a traditional minuet with modern harmonies.