pavan Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun music composed for dancing the pavane
    pavane.
  2. noun a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
    pavane.

WordNet

Pav"an noun
Etymology
F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp. pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.
Definitions
  1. A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its movements to those of the peacock. Written also pavane, paven, pavian, and pavin.

Webster 1913