Definition, also known as "definition", is a logical way of understanding things, which reveals the connotation of a concept through the essential attributes of the reflected object, and clearly indicates the difference between this concept and others under the concept of the same attribute. The terms of definition should be precise, concise and clear, and comparable to the extension of the concept being defined. The definition of dance plays an important role in grasping the essence of dance.
What exactly is dance, due to different starting points, experts and scholars through the ages have their own say. Early philosophers viewed dance as a skill, and the definition favored the description of form. Plato said: dance is "the art of speaking with gestures". Aristotle believed that the dancer "imitates the various emotions, feelings, and actions of man by the rhythm of gesture." Diderot, editor-in-chief of the first encyclopedia, defined dance as "the movement of the human body, jumps and rhythmic steps performed to the accompaniment of musical instruments or the singing of the human voice." The eighteenth-century innovator stated, "Dance is the development of posture, its idealization." Major discoveries in archaeology and anthropology have led to a definition of dance based on the examination of primitive dances, with Balzac, the literary giant, saying, "Dance is a way of being." Chinese scholar Wen Yiduo said, "Dance is the most direct, substantial, intense, poignant, pure and ample expression of the mood of life." With the rise of modern dance in the twentieth century, the connotation and extension of dance have been greatly developed.
More pertinent are the explanations of specialized word books from various countries, mostly in a comprehensive manner. Among them, the Encyclopedia Americana (1975 edition) defines: "Dance is the continuous movement of the body in a certain space and in a certain rhythm. Dance may be performed to express feelings, to give vent to excess energy, or simply to entertain. Dance is at least as old as mankind." "Primitive dance was a serious affair, closely related to the well-being of the tribe. With the more complex forms of agrarian and pastoral societies, dance gradually parted ways with religion and magic, and people danced, more for pleasure as well as for socializing. Highly civilized and complex societies created theatrical dance, which was performed to audiences by trained and professional actors. Theatrical dance emphasizes programming, refinement, and technique, and it usually bears the marks of a particular dancer's or choreographer's unique aptitude." This definition includes elements of movement, rhythm, time, space, and emotion, and briefly describes dance evolution.
The Chinese Encyclopedia observes, "Dance, by its very nature, is the art of human movement. In a broad sense, all the organized and regular movement of the human body to express feelings, can be called dance. But as a stage performance of the art of dance, it is through the author of the observation of nature and society, experience and analysis, and to refine the typical movements, constitute a distinctive dance art image, reflecting the life of people and events, thoughts and feelings."