noun
reel
A lively folk dance or its accompanying music.
The musicians play a lively reel as the dancers take their places.
Etymology
The dance-name and staggering verb belong with reeling or turning movement. Their deeper connection with the winding-spool word is uncertain.
More examples
- We learned a Scottish reel at the class.
- Several reels followed the opening song.
- The fiddler chose a familiar reel for the finale.
Forms
reel · reels
Similar words
- folk dance
- The broader category without specifying this lively form.
- jig
- A jig is a different dance form with a different rhythmic pattern.