† hove-dance Obs.
[cf. MDu. hof-dans, lit. court dance, ‘a dance usual at the court, the dance that is in fashion’ (Verwijs and Verdam), ‘saltatio numerosa, chorea aulica, circularis’ (Kilian) = MHG. hovetanz.]
A ‘court dance’; app. a particular dance of a lively character.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 6 Where as I muste daunce and singe The hove daunce and carolinge. 1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 54 Ther was daunsed..the houedaunce with shalmouse trompettis and alle maner of menestralsye. 1483 Chaucer's H. Fame (Caxton) iii. 145 To lerne houe dauncis [Fairf. MS. loue Daunces] sprynges Reyes. [1894 F. S. Ellis Reynard 168 In the merry hovedance See the Elephant prance As lissom and light as a fawn.] |