Also 8 valze, waltze, 9 pl. waltses, 8–9 valtz, walse. See also VALSE. [ad. G. walzer, f. walzen to roll, revolve, dance the waltz.]
1. A dance performed to music in triple time by couples who, almost embracing each other, swing round and round in the same direction with smooth and even steps, moving on as they gyrate.
1781. Twining, in Select. Papers T. Family (1887), 74. I found on inquiry that this was a favourite German dance called a waltz.
1796. Campaigns 1793–4, II. i. 6. All these fair Flammandes gain force, In the Valtz, as they spin in their whirligig course.
1798. Helen M. Williams, Tour in Switzerland, I. iii. 34. The walse, which is now never forgotten at a Paris ball.
1812. Byron (title), The Waltz.
1825. W. Hamilton, Hand-bk. Terms Arts, etc., Waltz, in Music, the name of a riotous and indecent German dance.
1872. E. Braddon, Life in India, iv. 145. She will be able to reward the virtuous youth who is fast and smooth in the valtz.
1881. ‘Rita,’ My Lady Coquette, i. The very memory of those waltzes makes my arms ache.
fig. 1802. Coleridge, Lett. (1895), 403. The ghosts of his departed guineas dance an ugly waltz round my idea.
attrib. 1826. [Sherer], Notes & Refl. Ramble in Germany, 37. My steps were arrested … by the sound of soft waltz music.
2. A piece of music to accompany this dance, in the same time and rhythm.
1816. Jane Austen, Emma, xxvi. Mrs. Weston … was seated, and beginning an irresistible waltz.
1837. Marryat, Dog-Fiend, ix. The band … played a waltz.
† 3. A party or soirée for waltzing. Obs.
1802. Spirit Publ. Jrnls., VI. 192. If men and women of fashion will come forward, and … give balls, waltses, and suppers.
