Dancer
The origins of the word dance and dancer are unknown. The Online Etymological Dictionary suggests that perhaps the word comes from Low Frankish dintjan or Old Frisian dintje (tremble, quiver).
The modern verb ‘to dance’ comes from 12th century Old French dancier which came to English around 1300 as dauncen (to move the body or feet rhythmically to music). The word dance has spread to many other languages thanks to the influence of the French; e.g., Italian danzare, Spanish danzar, Romanian dansa, Swedish dansa, and German tanzen.
The English word dauncen (to dance) replaced the Old English word sealtian (to dance), from Latin saltare (to dance) and salire (to leap). Other Old English words related to dance include tumbian (tumble) and hoppian (to hop). By the way, hoppian is said to be the origin of the English word ‘hope’ (i.e., leaping in expectation?!).
Dance, meaning to leap or spring with regular or irregular steps as an expression of some emotion, is from the late 14th century.
The noun daunce or dance, also from around 1300, means a succession of steps and movements commonly guided by musical accompaniment. Dance-hall is from 1823. Dance-floor is from 1864. Dance-band is from 1908.
The word dancer, someone who dances or takes part in a dance, is from the mid-15th century.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
The modern verb ‘to dance’ comes from 12th century Old French dancier which came to English around 1300 as dauncen (to move the body or feet rhythmically to music). The word dance has spread to many other languages thanks to the influence of the French; e.g., Italian danzare, Spanish danzar, Romanian dansa, Swedish dansa, and German tanzen.
The English word dauncen (to dance) replaced the Old English word sealtian (to dance), from Latin saltare (to dance) and salire (to leap). Other Old English words related to dance include tumbian (tumble) and hoppian (to hop). By the way, hoppian is said to be the origin of the English word ‘hope’ (i.e., leaping in expectation?!).
Dance, meaning to leap or spring with regular or irregular steps as an expression of some emotion, is from the late 14th century.
The noun daunce or dance, also from around 1300, means a succession of steps and movements commonly guided by musical accompaniment. Dance-hall is from 1823. Dance-floor is from 1864. Dance-band is from 1908.
The word dancer, someone who dances or takes part in a dance, is from the mid-15th century.
Reference: Online Etymological Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/
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