merengue
/məˈrɛŋɡeɪ
/(also meringue)
noun [mass noun]
1A Caribbean style of dance music, typically in duple and triple time: sounds of Latin music, mostly salsa and merengue, came in from the streets [as modifier]: there was a merengue band to keep the beat hot...
- In the Seventies a new type of music originated in Northern Brazil - it was mix of salsa, merengue and reggae music.
- Taking us through ska, Calypso, meringue, and salsa - among other island genres - Kidjo entrances with swirling grooves, pulsating rhythms, and enthusiastic vocals.
- Mexican American musical styles such as salsa, merengue, and tejano music have become increasingly popular among Salvadorans in the United States.
1.1A style of dancing associated with merengue, with alternating long and short stiff-legged steps.For Trujillo, it's a chance to put not just mambos, but a whole dictionary of Latin moves on the stage: Afro-Cuban, bolero, hybrid tango, merengue, rumba, samba, salsa....
- Cojocaru's and Kobborg's verve gave substance to what otherwise might've seemed a sweet, airy meringue of a dance.
- People also danced son montuno, merengue, and cha-cha cha.
Origin
Late 19th century: probably American Spanish; compare with the sense 'upheaval, disorder', attested in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.