Definitions:

1. A musical descendant of the contradanza. NOUN
   • The habanera developed out of the contradanza in the early 19th century.
2. A slow Cuban song and dance that has a rhythm similar to that of a tango. NOUN
   • The rhythm is similar to that of the tango, and some believe the habanera is the musical father of the tango.
3. A slow Cuban song and dance that originated in Africa. NOUN
4. The habanera is a genre of Cuban popular dance music of the 19th century, characterized by a distinctive rhythmic pattern. NOUN
   • The dance style of the habanera is slower and more stately than the danza.

Synonyms:

• danzon
• marinera
• tango-congo