The term 'gavotte' designates a more or less inconsistent genre of court dances originating in France and inspired in rural dances. It was popular during the late 16th century in the court of Louis XIV: many gavottes were composed by Lully, Rameau and Gluck. The dance was usually written in a 4/4 or 2/2 meter, though some gavottes have been written in 9/8 or 5/8. During the 19th century, a popular column dance called 'the gavotte' arose, but had no relation to the court dance.