What's a polonaise?

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Why: In The Shadow of the Wind, p. 378:

In those days it was considered desirable for girls of well-to-do families to be taught proper social graces and a smattering of music for the drawing room, where the polonaise was less dangerous than conversation or questionable literature.

Answer: A dignified ceremonial dance! It opened court balls and royal functions from the 17th to 19th centuries. It was probably once a warrior’s triumphal dance, and it was adopted by the Polish nobility as a formal march in or before 1573 for the coronation of the king of Poland.

The dancers, arranged in couples according to their social positions, mpved around the ballroom with gliding steps, bending the knees slightly on every third step. The dance was used as a musical form by such composers as Beethoven, Handel, and Chopin.

Source: Britannica

The More You Know: Here's an example!