promenade |ˌprɒməˈnɑːd| |-ˈneɪd| |ˈprɒm-|
noun
1 a paved public walk, typically one along a waterfront at a resort.
• a leisurely walk, or sometimes a ride or drive, typically one taken in a public place so as to meet or be seen by others : she went on a promenade with Jules.
• (in country dancing) a movement in which couples follow one another in a given direction, each couple having both hands joined.
2 archaic term for prom (sense 1).
verb [ intrans. ]
take a leisurely walk, ride, or drive in public, esp. to meet or be seen by others : women who promenaded in the Bois de Boulogne.
• [ trans. ] take such a walk through (a place) : people began to promenade the streets.
• [ trans. ] dated escort (someone) about a place, esp. so as to be seen by others : the governor of Utah promenades the daughter of the Maryland governor.
DERIVATIVES
promenader noun
ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (denoting a leisurely walk in public): from French, from se promener ‘to walk,’ reflexive of promener ‘take for a walk.’
