Definition of Danse macabre

1. Noun. A medieval dance in which a skeleton representing death leads a procession of others to the grave.

Exact synonyms: Dance Of Death
Generic synonyms: Ceremonial Dance, Ritual Dance, Ritual Dancing

Definition of Danse macabre

1. Noun. (arts) Also known as Dance of Death, a conventional subject in art, literature and drama, or a particular work in that style, in which death (in the form of a putrid corpse, skeleton, personified Death i.e. the Grim Reaper, or similar) is shown leading people of all social ranks (high and low) to the grave. It shows that whatever people may have in life, death comes to everybody alike, irrespective of their age, status ,or wealth or power. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Danse Macabre

danish
danishes
dank
danker
dankest
dankish
dankishness
dankly
dankness
danknesses
danks
danophone
danophones
danpatsushiki
danse du ventre
danse macabre (current term)
danseur
danseur noble
danseurs
danseuse
danseuses
danso
dansyl
dansyl chloride
dansyl compounds
dansylated
dant
danted
danthron
danting

Literary usage of Danse macabre

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. ... The Native Races: Of the Pacific States by Hubert Howe Bancroft (1886)
"... —danse macabre AND SAD DEATH of THE COYOTE. THE reader must have already noticed the strange roles filled by animals in the creeds ..."

2. Miscellaneous and Posthumous Works by Henry Thomas Buckle (1872)
"firmly believes that the " danse macabre " was of Parisian origin. For the different editions of La danse macabre, see pp. 93—126. 1360. NOTE ON THE SYBILS. ..."

3. Symphonies and Their Meaning: Third Series: Modern Symphonies by Philip Henry Goepp (1913)
"danse macabre Challenged for a choice among the works of the versatile composer, we should hit upon the danse macabre as the most original, profound and ..."

4. Histoire Des Livres Populaires, Ou, de la Littérature Du Colportage, Depuis by Charles Nisard (1864)
"En 1486, Marchand donna une seconde édition de la danse macabre, qui est à la Bibliothèque impériale. Or, on trouve au cabinet des estampes de cet ..."

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