Lambadas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A lively Brazilian dance distinguished by swift hip movements and rhythmical steps popularized in the late 20th century; a type of upbeat music genre associated with this dance; plural form referring to multiple instances or performances of this dance and music style
2. A fast-paced dance from Brazil featuring energetic, circular body movements synchronized with catchy melodies; the musical soundtrack that accompanies this dance style; used in plural to denote various dances or musical tracks of this kind
3. A style of dance originating in Brazil known for its sensual and rhythmic motions performed to a distinctive Latin beat; the musical category linked to this dance emphasizing percussive rhythms; plural indicating several occurrences or versions of this dance and its music

Etymology: "Lambadas" is the plural of "lambada," which English borrowed from Portuguese, where "lambada" means a strong slap or hit. The word comes from the Portuguese verb "lamber," to lick or lap, and the dance got its name from the sense of a sharp blow, as in a whack or smack. That is the whole of the verified origin: the name of a dance built around a physical blow, applied to a Brazilian style of music and movement. The plural refers to multiple instances of the dance or the music, such as several performances or separate lambada styles. Since the noun was taken straight from Portuguese, it keeps its original form and is pluralized in English with an added "s."

Synonyms: dances, ballroom dances, Latin dances, partner dances, rhythmic dances