Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

danse-macabre

Noun

/ˌdɑːns məˈkɑːb/

Definition

A dance of death, symbolizing the universality of death.

Examples

The artwork depicted a vivid danse-macabre, illustrating rich and poor alike dancing with skeletons.
In the play, the danse-macabre served as a reminder that death is inescapable for all individuals.
The composer’s piece captures the eerie rhythm of the danse-macabre, drawing the audience into its haunting melody.

Meaning

A medieval allegorical concept where figures representing death lead people from all walks of life in a dance, showcasing the inevitability of death for everyone.