prance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a proud stiff pompous gait
    swagger; strut.
  2. verb to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
    sashay; ruffle; tittup; strut; swagger; cock.
    • He struts around like a rooster in a hen house
  3. verb spring forward on the hind legs
    • The young horse was prancing in the meadow
  4. verb cause (a horse) to bound spring forward
  5. verb ride a horse such that it springs and bounds forward

WordNet

Prance intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. prauncen; probably akin to prank, v. t. See Prank.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Pranced ; present participle & verbal noun Prancing
Definitions
  1. To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle.
    Now rule thy prancing steed. Gay.
  2. To ride on a prancing horse; to ride in an ostentatious manner.
    The insulting tyrant prancing o'er the field. Addison.
  3. To walk or strut about in a pompous, showy manner, or with warlike parade. Swift.

Webster 1913