cotillion

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: co=til=lion

CIDE DICTIONARY

cotillion, n. [F. cotillon, fr. OF. cote coat, LL. cotta tunic. See Coat.].

•  A brisk dance, performed by eight persons; a quadrille.  [1913 Webster]
•  A tune which regulates the dance.  [1913 Webster]
•  A kind of woolen material for women's skirts.
•  A formal ball, especially one at which debutantes are first presented to society.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

cotillion, n.
1 any of various French dances with elaborate steps, figures, and ceremonial.
2 US a a ballroom dance resembling a quadrille. b a formal ball.

Etymology

F cotillon petticoat, dimin. of cotte f. OF cote COAT