mazurka
UK[məˈzɜːkə]US[məˈzɜrkə]
n
a lively polish dance in triple time for couples.
n
the music for a mazurka.
Etymology
the word 'mazurka' is a direct borrowing from the polish 'mazurek', which is a diminutive form of 'mazur', denoting an inhabitant of the region of mazovia in poland. the dance originated among the polish peasantry of this region before being stylized and popularized in ballrooms across europe in the 19th century. the name thus reflects the cultural and geographic origins of the art form, moving from a specific ethnic identifier to a generic term for the dance and its music in international usage.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a single lexical unit from polish. it is not productively segmented using english morphemes.
Examples
the orchestra played a spirited mazurka by chopin.
at the cultural festival, they performed a traditional polish mazurka.
learning the steps of the mazurka requires mastering its characteristic rhythmic accents.