minuet

/ˈmɪnjəˌwɛt/

Other forms: minuets

A minuet is a 17th-century court dance. It's also the music that goes with that dance.

The minuet is a fancy, stately dance from the 17th century performed by members of a court. Two people dance a minuet, and it’s performed in triple time. Throughout 17th century Europe, the minuet was extremely popular. A minuet can also be the music that accompanied the dance.

Definitions of minuet

1. noun

   a stately court dance that originated in the 17th century
   type of:

   ballroom dance, ballroom dancing

   any of a variety of social dances performed by couples in a ballroom
2. noun

   a stately piece of music composed for dancing the minuet; often incorporated into a sonata or suite
   type of:

   dance music

   music to dance to