Dance v. i. [imp. & p. p. Danced p. pr. & vb. n. Dancing.]
1. To move with measured steps, or to a musical accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company with others, with a regulated succession of movements, (commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap rhythmically.
Jack shall pipe and Gill shall dance. --Wither.
Good shepherd, what fair swain is this
Which dances with your daughter? --Shak.
2. To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion; to caper; to frisk; to skip about.
Then, 'tis time to dance off. --Thackeray.
More dances my rapt heart
Than when I first my wedded mistress saw. --Shak.
Shadows in the glassy waters dance. --Byron.
Where rivulets dance their wayward round. --Wordsworth.
To dance on a rope, or To dance on nothing, to be hanged.