Did the word carol originally refer to a ring dance?

Answer 1

*Originally the ubiquitous True-False question: "The word 'carol' originally referred to a ring-dance which meant a song that could be danced to."

English acquired carol from Old French carole, and the similarity of form and meaning naturally suggests that this in turn came from late Latin choraula 'choral song'. In classical Latin times this had meant 'person who accompanies a choir on a Flute or reed instrument', and it came from Greek khoraúlēs, a compound formed from khorós 'choir' (source of English chorus and choir) and aulos'reed instrument'. However, the fact that the earliest recorded use of the word is for a dance in a ring, accompanied by singing, has led some etymologists to speculate that the underlying notion contained in it may be not 'song' but 'circle.

Christmas Carols

Christmas carols are based on Christian lyrics and relate, in the main, to the Nativity. Christmas carols were introduced in to church services by St Francis of Assisi in the 12th century. As for the word carol, it is a derivative of the French word caroller, the interpretation of which means dancing around in a circle. Carol and carols, eventually came to mean not only to dance but included music and lyrics - hence Christmas Caroling.

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Answer 2

The old (middle) English origins of the word did indeed mean " round dance with singing". However, the modern meaning is "A song of praise or joy, especially for Christmas".