noun · rare

cotillion

cotillion · cotillions

котильон

Kotillon

A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display…A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles.

UK/kəʊtɪlˈjɒ̃/US/koʊtɪlˈjɑ̃/

Meaning

3 senses

A bold dance performed in groups of eight where women lift their skirts to display their ankles.
Kotillon
котильонkotilʹon
The music regulating the cotillion.
A kind of woollen material for women's skirts.

More definitions

a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century
a ball at which young ladies are presented to society

Translations

7 languages

Русский

By meaning 1

bold dance:

Deutsch

By meaning 1

bold dance:

Origin

First use appears c. 1750, in the sense of the dance, from French cotillon (“petticoat”),

First use appears c. 1750, in the sense of the dance, from French cotillon (“petticoat”), extended to the dance because of the distinctive lift of dress revealing the petticoat, from cotte (“dress”) + -illon (diminutive). Said to derive from the then-popular song Ma commère, quand je danse, mon cotillion va-t-il bien.

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