pas de quatre

noun

pas de qua·​tre ˌpä-də-ˈkat How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
-ˈka-trə,
-ˈkätrᵊ How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
plural pas de quatre ˌpä-də-ˈkat How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
-ˈka-trə,
-ˈkätrᵊ How to pronounce pas de quatre (audio)
: a dance or figure for four performers

Examples of pas de quatre in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This season, the Act 2 pas de quatre, a speedy and demanding divertissement for three women and one man, was cut to help streamline the ballet. New York Times, 25 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, step for four

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pas de quatre was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near pas de quatre

Cite this Entry

“Pas de quatre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pas%20de%20quatre. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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