branle

noun

ˈbrä(ä)ⁿl,

ˈbrȯⁿl

variants or less commonly bransle

ˈbrä(ä)ⁿl,

ˈbrȯⁿl

or brawl

ˈbrȯl

plural -s

: one of several couple dances of French origin that were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, usually in duple measure, mimetic, accompanied by singing, and danced in groups typically in a circle

: a sideward balance step in a clockwise direction used in branle dances

Word History

Etymology

Middle French branle, bransle, literally, act of shaking, from branler to shake, swing, brandish, from Old French, alteration of brandir to brandish