[ad. F. cotillon petticoat, peasant girl’s jupon, dim. of cotte coat, in 18th c. given as name to a dance for four or eight persons: see Littré.]
1. The name of several dances, chiefly of French origin, consisting of a variety of steps and figures.
In English usage now only as a foreign term; but in U.S. commonly used as a generic name for quadrilles, and particularly applied to a dance consisting of an elaborate series of steps and figures, called specifically the German c.
1766. [C. Anstey], Bath Guide, xii. 140. Miss Clunch and Sir Toby perform’d a Cotillon.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, III. v. These outlandish heathen Allemandes and Cotillons are quite beyond me!
1790. Burns, Tam O’Shanter, 116. Warlocks and witches in a dance; Nae cotillion brent new frae France.
1831. Mrs. F. Trollope, Dom. Manners Amer., xiv. (1839), 117. [In America] they call their dances cotillions instead of quadrilles.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), I. ii. 36. If I am ever caught dancing the German cotillon.
b. attrib.
1811. L. M. Hawkins, C’tess & Gertr., I. 124. Monday’s dress ball, Wednesday’s concert, Thursday’s cotillion ball.
1837–42. Hawthorne, Twice-told T. (1851), II. xv. 229. Some cotillion party, or subscription ball at a dollar a head.
2. A piece of music suited to or arranged for the dance.
1828. in Webster.
3. ‘A woollen material in black and white for ladies’ skirts’ (Simmonds, Dict. Trade, 1858).
