GALOP

lively social dance allegedly of German origin, popular in 19th-century England and France. The man put his right hand around his partner's waist and with his left hand held her right; the couple danced the galop's simple step side by sideslide, close, slidearound the ballroom to music in 2/4 time. The galop's spirited rhythm occurs in the finale of Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours and in many ballets, where the basic step is elaborated for theatrical effect.