cushion-dance

English

Noun

cushion-dance (plural cushion-dances)

1. Alternative form of cushion dance
   • 1603, Thomas Heywood, A Woman Killed with Kindness:

     I, that have ere now deserved a cushion, call for the "Cushion-dance."

   • 1689, John Selden, Table Talk:

     At a solemn dancing, first you had the grave measures, then the corantoes and the galliards, and this is kept up with ceremony; at length to French-more, and the cushion-dance, and then all the company dances, lord and groom, lady and kitchen-maid, no distinction.

   • 1901, William Harrison Ainsworth, The Novels of William Harrison Ainsworth - Volume 5, page 169:

     Meantime, a cotillon had been called for; then followed a jig, in which Proddy and Mrs. Plumpton distinguished themselves, occasioning immense laughter by their extraordinary and unexpected agility; after that succeeded the fine old dance of "the hay;" andd after a breathing-pause had been allowed, and refreshments handed round, the pretty and animating cushion-dance was performed — the serjeant drumming away all the while with untiring spirit , and Jiggins only stopping now and then to whet his whistle.

   • 2019, Mór Jókai, Peter the Priest:

     The old fool showed no hesitancy about thrusting himself into the circle of young dancers, and shunning the table of drinkers; and yet he longed for a drink; but his mouth watered still more for a kiss from the beautiful Magdalene, and this he might so easily have, if it would only occur to her to invite him to the cushion-dance.