con·tra·pás \ˌkōn.trəˈpäs\noun (pluralcontrapa·ses \-ä(ˌ)sās\) Etymology: Spanish, from Catalan contrapàs, from contra- (from Latin) + pas step, dance step, from Latin passus step — more at pace : a Catalan chain dance of ceremonial origin with grapevine steps varied in rhythm and direction according to the province