- To dance on nothing
- Dance Dance (d[.a]ns), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Danced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dancing}.] [F. danser, fr. OHG. dans[=o]n to draw;
akin to dinsan to draw, Goth. apinsan, and prob. from the
same root (meaning to stretch) as E. thin. See {Thin}.]
1. To move with measured steps, or to a musical
accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company
with others, with a regulated succession of movements,
(commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap
rhythmically.
[1913 Webster]
Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance. --Wither. [1913 Webster]
Good shepherd, what fair swain is this Which dances with your daughter? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion; to caper; to frisk; to skip about. [1913 Webster]
Then, 'tis time to dance off. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]
More dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Shadows in the glassy waters dance. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
Where rivulets dance their wayward round. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
{To dance on a rope}, or {To dance on nothing}, to be hanged. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
