step dance

plural step dances · alternative stepdance · alternative step-dance

1. A dance emphasizing the dancer's steps.

   He then gave us a step-dance, so as not to dwell too long on one subject.

   1876, John Ruskin, “Letter LXVIII. Notes and Correspondence.”, in Fors Clavigera. Letters to the Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain, volume VI, Orpington, Kent: George Allen, →OCLC, page 269

   1 more example

   Orth'ris began rowlin' his eyes an' crackin' his fingers an' dancin' a step-dance for to impress the Headman.

   1887 April 11, Rudyard Kipling, “The Taking of Lungtungpen”, in Plain Tales from the Hills, Calcutta: Thacker, Spink and Co.; London: W. Thacker & Co., published 1888, →OCLC, page 103

2. A postcopulatory behaviour of whistling ducks, genus Dendrocygna.

present singular third person step dances · participle present step dancing · participle past step danced · past step danced

1. intransitiveTo perform a step dance.

   […] place, where we boxed, played skittles, step-danced — a place in which I could say to all these dear street-corner, out-of-work people, "Come in and spend […]

   1903, Charles Edward Osborne, The life of Father Dolling, E. Arnold, page 254