dance

dance [Old High Ger. danson=to drag, stretch], the art of precise, expressive, and graceful human movement, traditionally, but not necessarily, performed in accord with musical accompaniment. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Dance in the Americas
• The Development of Dance in Europe
• Ritualistic and Ceremonial Dance
• The Origins of Dance
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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