sundance

See also: sun dance and Sundance

English

Alternative forms

• sun dance

Etymology

sun +‎ dance

Noun

sundance (plural sundances)

1. Any of various Native American religious rituals with song, dance, praying, etc.
   • 1992, Mari Sandoz, Helen Winter Stauffer, Letters of Mari Sandoz, page 340:

     Of course before this there will be lesser fights with Indian foes and whites, and much village life, moving, sundances and other ceremonials to record and a great hunt on the Yellowstone […]

   • 2001, Susan Lobo, Kurt Peters, American Indians and the Urban Experience, page 256:

     Mary and her husband, Jack Hyatt (Cherokee/African-American), have participated in sundances for a number of years.

2. Gaillardia pulchella, a flowering plant of southern US, from Arizona to Florida, and northern Mexico.