Fine Dictionary

Prancing

ˈprænsɪŋ
Pegasus is shown in a prancing position, with the head slightly to the left, pricks up the ears and opens the mouth. The horse rests beneath the chest on the point-tapered mass of cloud, against which the falling Bellerophon is placed with both arms down; the head is completely hidden, the right leg partly hidden in the clouds, the toes of the left leg, which is bent, touch the knee of the winged horse.
Pegasus is shown in a prancing position, with the head slightly to the left, pricks up the ears and opens the mouth. The horse rests beneath the chest on the point-tapered mass of cloud, against which the falling Bellerophon is placed with both arms down; the head is completely hidden, the right leg partly hidden in the clouds, the toes of the left leg, which is bent, touch the knee of the winged horse.
Illustrations
Nineteen horses in different postures, including a reclining horse and many prancing and galloping horses. This print is part of a series of 48 prints (50 incl. Title page and dedicate) with various subjects (including men and women in different poses, landscapes, buildings and festivities in Florence). These prints may have been intended as drawing examples.
Nineteen horses in different postures, including a reclining horse and many prancing and galloping horses. This print is part of a series of 48 prints (50 incl. Title page and dedicate) with various subjects (including men and women in different poses, landscapes, buildings and festivities in Florence). These prints may have been intended as drawing examples.
Two prancing horses facing each other bite each other in the neck and clasp the front legs; the one on the left is saddled and carries a cloaked rider, who, with outstretched arms, turns away in terror from the horse prancing opposite him. Below the horses, a warrior in soldier's uniform with shield on his left arm, dumped to the right.
Two prancing horses facing each other bite each other in the neck and clasp the front legs; the one on the left is saddled and carries a cloaked rider, who, with outstretched arms, turns away in terror from the horse prancing opposite him. Below the horses, a warrior in soldier's uniform with shield on his left arm, dumped to the right.
The reverse of a large (Carthaginian?) Coin: prancing Pegasus with inscription.
The reverse of a large (Carthaginian?) Coin: prancing Pegasus with inscription.
A blacksmith tries to shoe a horse, while two other men try to restrain the prancing animal.
A blacksmith tries to shoe a horse, while two other men try to restrain the prancing animal.
Prancing couple with rider, to the left, in a landscape. In the background left a second rider. Print from a series of nine prints on the subject of the riding school.
Prancing couple with rider, to the left, in a landscape. In the background left a second rider. Print from a series of nine prints on the subject of the riding school.
Image of the reverse of a large (Carthaginian?) Coin: prancing Pegasus with an inscription.
Image of the reverse of a large (Carthaginian?) Coin: prancing Pegasus with an inscription.
In a landscape, a satyr and a prancing buck stand opposite each other. Above and below the depiction has borders with swans, winged half-figures and wickerwork.
In a landscape, a satyr and a prancing buck stand opposite each other. Above and below the depiction has borders with swans, winged half-figures and wickerwork.
From his prancing horse, a rider stabs a boar with his sword. A second hunter on horseback approaches behind him. A large pack of dogs pounces on the boar. Left part of a large performance consisting of two parts. At the bottom of the margin, half of a Latin verse about hunting.
From his prancing horse, a rider stabs a boar with his sword. A second hunter on horseback approaches behind him. A large pack of dogs pounces on the boar. Left part of a large performance consisting of two parts. At the bottom of the margin, half of a Latin verse about hunting.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
  1. (adj) Prancing
    riding showily: springing or bounding gaily
Quotations
Emily Dickinson
There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away nor any coursers like a page of prancing Poetry.
Emily Dickinson
Etymology

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary Prank.

Usage in the news

Horse Farm Tour Benefits Prancing Horse. thepilot.com

The 2011 Horse Farm Tour offers an inside look at some of the Sandhills' most beautiful and unique equestrian properties during the benefit sponsored by Prancing Horse being held on Sunday, Oct 16, from 11 am to 4 p.m. thepilot.com

I love prancing around town in an outfit that fits my body and personality. 939kissfm.com

Ferrari's 308 GT4: all of the prancing-horse experience for a fraction of the cash. hemmings.com

COLUMBIA — With pricked ears and a prance in their step, Spud and George eagerly approach the sled weighted down with 55 cinder blocks, weighing about 40 pounds each. columbiamissourian.com

These Prancing Horses met their death on a Chinese highway just recently 458 + California RIP Dan. modelcarsmag.com

The storied Jersey shore town of Asbury Park may have a new problem on its hands, after bouncing back from years of decline -- all those people prancing around in swimsuits. foxnews.com

A Country Colt Learns to Prance. nytimes.com

Bethel College will host the second annual 2.5K Fun Run and 5K Pilgrim Prance starting at 8 am Saturday. southbendtribune.com

In an era where 60-somethings such as Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler prance around onstage pretending to be 25, Nick Lowe has revitalized his career by doing something completely unexpected - acting his age. amny.com

Ferrari's Italian Stallion Prances Around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. motortrend.com

Stephanie DummReindeer prance across this lawn on Eaglesfield Lane. lincolnnewsmessenger.com

For more than a half-century, generations of horses and riders have galloped, jumped and pranced at the Ram Tap equestrian center, a rustic competition showgrounds on the south bank of the San Joaquin River in Fresno. fresnobee.com

The adorable star of the The Hangover Part II pranced and preened on the red carpet at the film's world premiere at legendary Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Thursday in Hollywood. radaronline.com

The toned, tattooed L.A. Galaxy soccer star cut a rather odd - though fit - figure prancing about the back streets of Beverly Hills Tuesday just as a van of tourists rounded the bend and got an exciting eyeful. nydailynews.com

Usage in literature

The young horses pranced and galloped off. "Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself" by Henry Bibb

Sure, I thought he'd yell an' prance round like a drunken fool. "The Rustlers of Pecos County" by Zane Grey

Something undoubtedly was curveting and prancing before the door; something with a white flowing tail. "Verner's Pride" by Mrs. Henry Wood

It was swaying ominously forward, with yellings and prancings, with renewed showers of bricks and stones. "Far to Seek" by Maud Diver

High-stepping horses prancing up to the church-gates brought friends from the plantations. "The Flower of the Chapdelaines" by George W. Cable

The horses paused fully, but pranced and backed. "Bart Stirling's Road to Success" by Allen Chapman

His war steed pranced proudly as if conscious of the royal burden he bore, and of the victories he had achieved. "The Empire of Austria; Its Rise and Present Power" by John S. C. Abbott

I'm tired to death of his speeches and his prancing about. "Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 152, June 27, 1917" by Various

And fiery Bill, like a wrestler, pranced to and fro for an opening. "Jan" by A. J. Dawson

It is a pleasing sight to behold the ambling nags and generous colts, proudly prancing. "Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)" by Isaac Disraeli

Usage in poetry
They wheel and race and leap and prance,
And sometimes they are said to dance:
But always they will stand and stare
At anyone who passes there.
"At Play" by Mary Tourtel
'I'll gie thee all these milk-whyt steids,
that prance and nicher at a speir,
With as mekle gude Inglis gilt
As four of their braid backs dow beir.'
"Johnny Armstrong (original)" by Anonymous British
Now does he couch his quiv'ring lance,
And onward spur his nimble steed ;
Proud o'er the plain 'tis seen to prance,
As if to share the val'rous deed.
"Reginald The Brave" by Laura Sophia Temple
There was an Old Man of Coblenz,
The length of whose legs was immense;
He went with one prance
From Turkey to France,
That surprising Old Man of Coblenz.
"Limerick: There was an Old Man of Coblenz" by Edward Lear
The light plume dances,
The proud steed prances,
Gaily along the good show advances;
With mantle untied
And cap at his side
The stranger is pressing to reach the bride.
"The Marriage" by Edwin Arnold
And they rode and rode; and the steeds they neighed
And pranced, and the sun on their glossy hides
Flickered and lightened and glanced and played
Like the moon on rippling tides;
"The King" by James Whitcomb Riley Author object (339)