/kon"treuh dans', -dahns'/ ; Fr. /kawonn trddeudahonns"/ , n. , pl. contredanses /-dan'siz, -dahn'-/ ; Fr. /-dahonns"/ .
1. a variation of the quadrille in which the dancers face each other.
2. a piece of music suitable for such a dance.
Also, contradance .
[ 1795-1805; contre- COUNTER- + danse DANCE, misrendering of E COUNTRY-DANCE, by assoc. with the characteristic arrangement of dancers in rows facing each other ]