a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
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Pavan \Pav"an\, n. [F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp. pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.] A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its movements to those of the peacock. [Written also {pavane}, {paven}, {pavian}, and {pavin}.]