1. a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
Usage: archaic; historical

Examples

• The courtiers performed a graceful pavin at the royal ball.
• Musicians played a slow pavin as the nobles danced in pairs.
• The pavin was considered one of the most dignified dances of the Renaissance.
• She learned the steps of the pavin from an old dance manual.
• The pavin’s measured tempo made it suitable for formal occasions.