minuet

• 指17至18世纪流行的缓慢而庄重的舞蹈，也指为这种舞蹈或按其风格创作的音乐作品，常作为奏鸣曲或组曲的组成部分。

A noun referring to a slow, stately dance popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, or a piece of music composed for or in the style of that dance, often included as a movement in a sonata or suite.

1. Stately court danceB2formal

   A slow, formal dance that was popular in European courts during the 17th and 18th centuries, characterized by graceful steps and bows.

   小步舞

   • The ball opened with a minuet danced by the king and queen.
   • She practiced the minuet for weeks before the royal performance.
   • Guests lined up to learn the steps of the minuet.
   • The minuet required precise footwork and elegant posture.

2. Musical compositionB2formal

   A piece of music in triple time, originally written to accompany the minuet dance, later often used as a movement in suites, sonatas, or symphonies.

   乐曲

   • The third movement of the symphony is a graceful minuet.
   • Mozart composed many minuets for piano and orchestra.
   • The minuet alternates between a stately theme and a lighter trio section.
   • The audience applauded the minuet's gentle melody.