Literary notes about Prance (AI summary)
In literature, "prance" often gestures toward a lively, spirited movement, frequently describing the animated gait of horses and other animals, as well as the energetic or affected behavior of people. It conveys both literal action and a sense of joyful flamboyance—a horse might prance along a sandy beach or down a country road ([1], [2]), while a character might exhibit a prance that hints at triumph, capriciousness, or even mockery ([3], [4]). Moreover, the term can serve as an ironic or symbolic device, with some authors bestowing it as a surname ([5], [6]) or using it to underscore an exaggerated sense of self-importance or eccentricity ([7], [8]). This multiplicity of meaning enriches narrative tone by infusing scenes with dynamic motion and vivid character nuance.
- His gelding emerged from the water, threw back its head and snorted, then broke into a prance along the sandy beach.
— from Caribbee by Thomas Hoover - On entering Yonville she made her horse prance in the road.
— from Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert - There seemed a little prance of triumph in his movement, she could not rid herself of a movement of acquiescence, a touch of acceptance.
— from The Rainbow by D. H. Lawrence - I remembered I had seen him slinking away during the quarrel, in a half prance, half shuffle, and trying very hard not to look scared.
— from Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad - And never was there a girl so popular as Della Prance.
— from The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, August, 1913Vol. LXXXVI. New Series: Vol. LXIV. May to October, 1913 by Various - Mr. Prance took his hands out of his pockets, Mrs. Prance dried her tears, and both looked quite gay and beaming when the guests appeared.
— from Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Volume 3Cupid and Chow-chow, etc. by Louisa May Alcott - Likewise a little explanation of what you exactly mean might be of use, if you seriously hope to reconcile us to this most prodigious prance.
— from Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 61, No. 379, May, 1847 by Various - Well, he begun to shuffle and prance and cut up like a boy makin' faces, and there's where Alta she ducked in through the parlor winder.
— from The Duke Of Chimney Butte by George W. (George Washington) Ogden