† ˈbransle Obs.
Also 8 bransel.
[a. F. bransle (16th c.), a graphical variant of branle: see branle, also brangle, brantle.]
1. Movement, perturbation. rare. (= brangle n.1 1, branle n. 1.)
| 1603 Florio Montaigne iii. ix. (1632) 565 Observe..the motions and bransles of the Heavens. |
2. A kind of dance; also, a song for dance music. (= brangle n.1 2, branle n. 2, brantle.)
| 1596 Spenser F.Q. iii. x. 8 Now making layes of love..Bransles, ballads, virelayes. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 181 The bransle de poictou or bransle double is more quick in time..but the straine is longer, containing most vsually twelue whole strokes. 1829 Scott Anne of G. 344 The youthful couple went off to take their place in the bransle. |