Minuet \Min"u*et\, n. [F., fr. menu small, L. minutus small. So called on account of the short steps of the dance. See 4th Minute.]

1. A slow graceful dance consisting of a coupee, a high step, and a balance.

2. (Mus.) A tune or air to regulate the movements of the dance so called; a movement in suites, sonatas, symphonies, etc., having the dance form, and commonly in 3-4, sometimes 3-8, measure.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)