1. plural of pavane: slow, stately court dances in duple time that were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries
Usage: historical; music
2. plural of pavane: musical compositions written for or in the style of such dances
Usage: music

Examples

• The musicians performed several elegant pavanes at the Renaissance festival.
• Bach and other Baroque composers wrote beautiful pavanes for keyboard.
• The dance instructor taught the students how to perform traditional pavanes.
• The concert program featured pavanes by Spanish and French composers.
• Courtiers in elaborate costumes danced pavanes in the palace ballroom.
• The music box played delicate pavanes that reminded her of old European courts.