Farand

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A lively folk dance from Provence in southern France, performed by a line of dancers weaving through the streets
2. A traditional Provençal dance in which a chain of dancers moves in a winding, snaking procession
3. A communal folk dance of southern France, in which participants join hands and follow a meandering line

Etymology: In English, "farand" is an old word for manner, bearing, or appearance, the way someone carries themselves or how a thing looks. Its usage has largely faded, so it survives mostly in older texts and in Scots, where it can also describe a person's character or way of behaving. Its ultimate source is probably Old French, where forms related to "faire," meaning "to do" or "to make," gave rise to words about conduct and comportment. That link is likely rather than certain, and the exact path into English is not settled enough to state with confidence. Readers who meet "farand" in a French context may think of "farandole," the name of a lively Provençal dance performed in a winding line. The two words share a Provençal and French background, but how closely they are related is uncertain.