a slow and stately dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
2.
a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance, usually characterized by a slow stately triple time
Word origin
C16 pavan, via French from Spanish pavana, from Old Italian padovana Paduan (dance), from Padova Padua
pavane in American English
(pəˈvæn; pəˈvɑn)
noun
1.
a slow, stately court dance of Spanish or Italian origin, performed by couples
2.
the music for this
Also ˈpavan (ˈpævən)
Word origin
Fr < OIt pavana < (danza) Pavana, lit., (dance) of Padua < dial. Pava, for Padua: assoc. by folk etym. with Fr pavaner, to strut, walk like a peacock < L pavo, peacock
Examples of 'pavane' in a sentence
pavane
"I can get a blanket if you want to keep staring at him," Mogget said slyly, twining himself around her ankles in a sensuous pavane.