slow dancen.
/ˈsləʊ dɑːns/, /ˈsləʊ dans/, U.S. /ˈsloʊ ˌdæns/ A dance in which a couple move in coordination with each other to music of a slow tempo, esp. while holding each other closely in a romantic or intimate manner. Also: a song or piece of music (esp. one regarded as romantic or sentimental), with a slow tempo, to which such a dance may be performed. Cf. slowie n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > slow or stately dance > [noun]
measure?c1430
base dancea1475
pas grave1762
basse danse1789
slow dance1890
slowie2002
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > types of song > [noun] > ballad
ballad1458
sing-song1609
street ballad1694
balladling1798
song ballad1832
border balladc1863
come-all-ye1892
slowie1939
slow dance1989
1890 J. Payne tr. M. Bandello Novels I. i. viii. 133 Taking her by the hand and footing a slow dance with her [It. lentamente danzando], he entered into discourse with her of things amorous.
1920 J. J. Walsh Relig. & Health x. 201 The present fashion for the slow dance with the partners closely wrapped in one another's arms..is only another development of the unending opposition between fashion and religion.
1989 J. Harrell Wild Times at West Mount High xiv. 138 It was too bad they were playing a slow dance, because he didn't want Terri to get any ideas.
2013 M. Gayle Turning Forty (2014) vi. 36 The sixth-form Christmas disco, with its unparalleled opportunities for a slow dance in the darkened surroundings of the main school hall, was the obvious place to make my move.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
slow dancev.
/ˈsləʊ dɑːns/, /ˈsləʊ dans/, U.S. /ˈsloʊ ˌdæns/ intransitive. To dance with a partner to music of a slow tempo, esp. while holding him or her closely in a romantic or intimate manner.
ΚΠ
1953 Sunflower Petals (Sunflower Junior Coll., Moorhead, Miss.) 24 Feb. 2/3 So if you want to slow dance, waltz, jitter-bug, samba, rhumba, or charleston, be in the Canteen Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
1968 Red Bluff (Calif.) Daily News 31 Dec. 2/6 I am a 14-year-old girl who doesn't like to slow-dance with boys at parties or social gatherings, so I always make excuses to avoid it.
1999 T. Parsons Man & Boy (2000) xl. 342 Richard was slow-dancing with one of the bridesmaids.
2007 GQ (U.K. ed.) Apr. 270/2 New couples tentatively slow dance, each looking over the other's shoulders for possibilities.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1890
v.1953