terpsichorean

See also: Terpsichorean

English

WOTD – 25 November 2008

Alternative forms

• terpsichoreal, Terpsichorean, terpsichorial, terpsichorian

Etymology

From Terpsichore (“the Muse of dance in Greek mythology”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌtəːp.sɪ.kəɹˈiː.ən/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌtɝp.sɪ.kəˈɹiː.ən/, /ˌtɝp.sɪˈkɔɹ.iː.ən/

• Audio (US):

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Adjective

terpsichorean (comparative more terpsichorean, superlative most terpsichorean)

1. (dance) Of or relating to dancing.
   • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 47, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:

     The pair danced away with great agility and contentment,—first a waltz, then a galop, then a waltz again, until, in the second waltz, they were bumped by another couple who had joined the Terpsichorean choir.

   • 1865, Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend:

     This was such an entirely new view of the Terpsichorean art as socially practised, that Mrs Lammle looked at her young friend in some astonishment

   • 1939, T. S. Eliot, “The Song of the Jellicles”, in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats:

     They're quiet enough in the morning hours,
     They're quiet enough in the afternoon,
     Reserving their terpsichorean powers
     To dance by the light of the Jellicle Moon.

   • 1970, Monty Python, The Cheese Shop:

     Oh, heaven forbid: I am one who delights in all manifestations of the Terpsichorean muse!

Usage notes

This word is sometimes capitalized, because of its etymology from a proper noun.

Translations

relating to dancing

• Finnish: tanssi- (fi)

Noun

terpsichorean (plural terpsichoreans)

1. A person who dances, especially professionally.

Translations

person who dances

• Finnish: tanssija (fi), tanssijatar (fi)