minuet

noun

1. A slow graceful dance consisting of a coupé, a high step, and a balance.
2. A tune or air to regulate the movements of the minuet dance: it has the dance form, and is commonly in 3/4, sometimes 3/8, measure.
3. A complete short musical composition inspired by and conforming to many formal characteristics of the traditional musical accompaniment to the dance of same name.
4. A movement which is part of a longer musical composition such as a suite, sonata, or symphony which is inspired by and conforming to formal characteristics of the dance of same name.

verb

1. To dance a minuet.

   “After he had raved his time upon the stage, the ladies and knights again minueted for an hour, and again gave place.”

   “Within the same circle with the pigeons, were beautiful albatrosses, poising and minueting with them in the most pleasing fellowship.”

   “This set the pattern for four years, as the two monarchs minueted around the vast Commonwealth, never again to face each other personally in battle.”