Ballet Terminology
What is this term.?
Position in which one leg is extended back, knee straight and toe pointed; position of arms varies.
Arabesque
What is this term.?
A position in which one leg is raised with knee bent, either in back or front of body.
Attitude
Devant or Derriere
What is this term.?
Many steps on half-toe.
Bourree
What is this term.?
Repeated short turns - A chain of turns.
Chaine
What is this term.?
A step in which one foot displaces the other, chasing it from position.
Chasse
What is this term.?
A step in which one foot cuts the other away, thus transferring the weight.
Coupe
What is this term.?
A partial bending of the knees with the heels remaining on the floor.
Demi-Plie
What is this term.?
In back of.
Derriere
What is this term.?
In front of.
Devant
What is this term.?
An exercise in which the working leg is raised to 90 degrees, and lowered - A kick.
Grand Battement
What is this term.?
A leap or a jump in any direction, transferring the weight from one leg to the other.
Jete
What is this term.?
Back-side-front.
Pas de Bourree
What is this term.?
A cat-like step.
Pas de Chat
What is this term.?
A movement which changes the leg from one position to another.
Passe
What is this term.?
A step on toe or half-toe.
Pique
What is this term.?
Turn on half-toe.
Pique Tourne
What is this term.?
Movement of arms.
Port de Bras
What is this term.?
A step in which the dancer rises to a position on half-toe.
Releve
What is this term.?
A curtsy or bow.
Reverence
What is this term.?
A phrase to indicate that the working leg is held or stretched/pointed.
Tendu
Devant or Derriere
What is this term.?
Heels are together, with toes turned out until the feet are in a straight line.
First position
What is this term.?
Feet are in a parallel line, separated by a distance, and both turned outward, with the weight equally divided between them.
Second position
What is this term.?
Heel of one foot rests against the instep of the other; both are firmly turned out, and the weight is divided between them.
Third position
What is this term.?
One foot rests about 12 inches in advance of the other, both are turned out, and the weight is divided between them.
Fourth position
What is this term.?
The feet are turned out and pressed closely together, the heel of the one foot against the toe of the other.
Fifth position