Rhumbaing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Moving to the rhythm of a rumba, a Cuban ballroom dance with a distinctive hip motion and syncopated beat
2. Performing the rumba, a partner dance characterized by swaying hips, sliding footwork, and latin musical accompaniment
3. Dancing in the style of the rumba, a sensual ballroom dance originating from Cuba with a 1-2-3, 5-6-7 step pattern

Etymology: "Rhumbaing" is the present participle and gerund of "rhumba," so its history is that of the verb it comes from. Adding "-ing" to "rhumba" produces the form used when dancing the dance itself, as in the phrase "rhumbaing across the floor." The base word is the Spanish-derived name of the Cuban dance, and the "-ing" ending simply turns the dance into an action that one can keep doing.