Random Ballet Terms
Body Positions
5 Ballet Positions
Literal Definitions
Traveling Movements
100

A slight incline in older stages to create a better viewing angle for theatre patrons in the olden days

What is a Raked stage

100

This position has the leg directly to the side with the body facing forward, the arms are directly out to the side slightly rounded

What is second position?

100

Position where heels are touching and arms are curved in front of the body as if holding a beach ball

What is First Position

100

"Bend"

What is Plie

100
"To Chase," a slide or gallop done by pushing the leading foot along the floor in a plie and springing up into the air where both legs meet stretched
What is Chasse
200
The wood railing fastened to the dance studio wall, which is used for stretching and various ballet warm-ups
What is Barre
200

The right foot is front of you crossed with the left arm above the head and the right arm to the side. 

What is Crosie Devant 

200
The position where your feet are heel-toe and both arms are raised above your head slightly curved
What is Fifth Position
200

"Melt or Melted"

What is Fondu

200

Steps moving front side back, or back side front.

What is tombé pas de bourrée

300

This term literally means Swing

What is balancoire

300

Right leg is behind you, and you are facing to the front right corner. The right arm is in front of you stretched and the left is beside you stretched

What is Croise Derriere 

300
Position where legs are apart, feet are turned out, and arms are out to the side with a slight curve
What is Second Position
300

"whipped"

What is Fouette

300
A "pricked" traveling turn which starts with the working leg in a demi plie and springing up to a turned-out passe position while the supporting leg is straightened
What is Pique
400
The carriage of arms or passage of arms from one position to another
What is Port de Bras
400

The left foot is in Tendu devant and you are facing flat to the audience

What is En Face

400

Position where both feet are turned out in front of each other, with a space in between and one arm is above the head slightly curved with the other arm in front of the body slightly curved

What is Fourth Position

400

"Slow and Sustained"

What is Adagio

400
A series of many tiny steps done in releve or on point that make the dancer seem to glide across the stage
What are Bourees
500

A jump in fifth position 

What is Soubresaut

500

The left leg is beside you. the body is on an angle with the left leg slightly behind you. the left arm is above your head and the right arm is beside you.

What is Ecarte Derreiere

500

Arabesque position where the Right foot is behind you in croise, the right arm is forward and the left arm is to the side 

What is Third Arabesque

500
"On the neck of the foot"
What is Cou de Pied
500
A glide starting with the front foot
What is Glissade Devant
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