morris dancingn.
/ˈmɒrɪs ˌdɑːnsɪŋ/, /ˈmɒrɪs ˌdansɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmɔrəs ˌdænsɪŋ/, /ˈmɑrəs ˌdænsɪŋ/ The action of participating in a morris dance, performance in a morris dance; this as a pastime or entertainment.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > morris-dance > [noun]
Morisk dance1448
morris dance1458
Morisk1467
morris1503
Moresque1508
Moriscoc1560
Moresco1567
morris dancing1588
hobby-horse1670
hobby-horse dance1686
Moor dance1801
Moresca1869
1588 in L. M. Clopper Rec. Early Eng. Drama: Chester (1979) 151 Item to Thomas Gyllome and Robert Smythe for their morreys daunsin at mydsomer vj s viij d.
1612 H. Peacham Gentlemans Exercise i. xii. 45 Those peeces that shewed..a countrey village, faire or market,..Morrice dancing, peasants together by the eares, and the like.
1727 W. Mather Young Man's Compan. (ed. 13) 126 Scandalous Sports and Pastimes, such as May-Bushes, Morris-Dancing.
1784 L. MacNally Robin Hood ii. 39 We shall have bull-baiting and morrice-dancing—O how I long to be capering!
1825 W. Scott Talisman vii, in Tales Crusaders IV. 152 How wouldst like such beverage thyself, after such a morrice dancing?
1866 E. R. Charles Draytons & Davenants 92 Tennis..was all very well for boys, and Morris-dancing for girls, but there was no real sport in such things.., except to fill up an idle hour or two.
1963 Times 18 Feb. 13/5 Soon the very idea of putting your hands in washing-up water will seem as quaint as morris-dancing.
1999 S. Broughton et al. World Music: Rough Guide I. i. 66/1 Morris dancing is at the very heart of clichéd English imagery.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
morris dancingadj.
/ˈmɒrɪs ˌdɑːnsɪŋ/, /ˈmɒrɪs ˌdansɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈmɔrəs ˌdænsɪŋ/, /ˈmɑrəs ˌdænsɪŋ/ That participates in or performs a morris dance or morris dances. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > morris-dance > [adjective]
morris dancing1612
1612 S. Rowlands Knaue of Harts B 1 b My Sleeues are like some Morris-dancing fellow.
1993 Independent (Nexis) 30 Dec. 13 I'm in a group of morris dancing men, women and children..who celebrate the turning year with our native dances, songs and customs.
2001 Stage (Nexis) 20 Sept. 16 Loved because of its morris-dancing fleas and dapper penguins, the ballet is a timeless piece of choreography.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1588adj.1612