A Spanish dance in triple time with a distinctive rhythm, or a short open jacket without buttons that reaches only to the waist.
From Spanish, possibly related to volar (to fly) or from a place name. The dance dates to 1700s Spain. The jacket style came later, adopted from Spanish costume traditions.
The bolero dance has this hypnotic rhythm that's been used in Spanish culture for centuries, and Ravel's 'Boléro' is one of the most famous classical pieces—it's basically the same 2-minute musical pattern repeated 18 times and somehow it's mesmerizing.
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