E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Passy-measure Pavin.
A pavin is a stately dance (see PAVAN); a passy-measure pavin is a reeling dance or motion, like that of a drunken man, from side to side. Sir Toby Belch says of Dick Surgeon—
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“He’s a rogue and a passy-measure pavin. I hate a drunken rogue.”—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, v. 1.
