1. A fast, lively dance of the 16th and 17th centuries, characterized by running steps and a triple meter.
Usage: historical; also spelled 'coranto'
2. A piece of music composed for or in the style of the couranto dance.
Usage: musical; historical

Examples

• The couranto was a favorite dance at European royal courts during the Renaissance.
• Musicians performed a lively couranto at the historical reenactment.
• Bach composed several courantos as part of his keyboard suites.
• The couranto's quick, running steps made it popular among skilled dancers.
• In the 17th century, the couranto gradually fell out of fashion.
• The orchestra played a baroque couranto with elegant precision.