cotillion
English
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cotillion
- /kəʊtɪlˈjɒ̃/ UK
- /kətɪlˈjɒ̃/ UK
- /koʊtɪlˈjɑ̃/ US
- /kətɪlˈjɑ̃/ US
Where it comes from
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.
noun cotillions · cotillon
- A bold dance performed in groups of eight in which women lift their skirts to display their ankles. Mrs. Hughes now joined them, and asked Miss Tilney if she was ready to go. "I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon," said Catherine. "Shall you be at the cotillion ball tomorrow?"
- A kind of woollen material for women's skirts.
- The music regulating the cotillion. 1848 I kept a parlor open for the reception of visitors, many came here to practise with me, and many more to listen to us—several young men put themselves under my tuition, and although I had never been taught myself, they progressed finely in their studies and I soon brought out, not only the best
- Ellipsis of cotillion ball "Well," I answered, at first with uncertainty, then with inspiration, "he would do splendidly to lead your cotillon, if you think of having one." / "So you do not dance, Mr. Crocker?" / I was somewhat set back by her perspicuity.
verb cotillions · cotillioning · cotillioned · cotillon
- To dance the cotillion.
Translations
Talk about this word "cotillion." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/cotillion. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. cotillion. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/cotillion "cotillion." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/cotillion.Cite this
@misc{cotillion_2026,
title = {cotillion},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/cotillion},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
