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Bourrée

Dance
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A lively French dance, usually in quick duple meter, marked by light, flowing steps; its rhythmic pattern also appears in Baroque musical suites.

Detailed Definition
The bourrée is a brisk traditional French dance, later adapted into baroque court music, usually marked by a quick pickup and energetic forward motion. In poetry, its compact rhythm can provide an analogy for nimble feet, darting conversation, or a sudden change in mood. A poet may invoke a bourrée to animate a pastoral scene or an old ballroom, where formal steps retain a spark of rustic liveliness beneath their polished surface.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The rain began a bourrée across the cobbles” compares quick, light movement to the French dance; A poet may write in brisk couplets to imitate the lively pulse of a bourrée; “Sparrows bourréed from branch to branch” turns the dance name into an inventive verb; In a scene of courtship, a bourrée can suggest playful pursuit and precise footwork
Additional Notes
The Bourrée is a quick French dance, usually in duple meter, with a lively but orderly pulse. Poets may invoke it for brisk movement, rural festivity, or baroque elegance; it also appears as a musical movement in suites.
Also Known As
Bourree
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