passepied

noun

passe·​pied
päˈspyā
variants or less commonly paspy
ˈpaspē
plural passepieds
-ā(z)
also paspies
-ēz
: a lively 17th and 18th century dance of French peasant origin resembling the minuet and beginning on the last beat of the measure
also : the music for this dance typically found in suites

Word History

Etymology

French passe-pied, from passer to pass + pied foot, from Latin ped-, pes

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near passepied

Cite this Entry

“Passepied.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passepied. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!