Gigue

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ʒiːɡ/

Definitions

1. A lively and energetic dance form in triple meter that is often seen in Baroque musical compositions
2. An upbeat and spirited dance, usually performed quickly, notable for its association with European folk traditions
3. A spirited, quick dance typically featured in Baroque suites characterized by a triple meter rhythm ; A brisk and lively traditional folk dance known for its quick tempo and rhythmic energy

Etymology: "Gigue" entered English from French, where it names the same lively dance form, and it is a doublet of "jig," the two words having split apart from a single origin and taken different routes into English. The English "jig" came down through the native tradition of quick dancing and music, while "gigue" arrived as a borrowing that kept the French spelling and sense. The French word itself is related to "giga," the name of a stringed instrument, which hints at how closely the dance and the music were once bound together. The baroque suite made the gigue famous. Composers such as Bach and Handel placed it as the final movement of many suites, where its fast, rhythmic character gave the sequence a bright ending. Because of this role, the word is most often met today in musical contexts rather than as a description of a dance you might perform at a party.