BALLET DICTIONARY
Mar 13, 2010 BALLET Dictionary
The Ballet Dictionary contains the words, definition, and pronunciation for terms used in ballet sessions at KKZ. The KKZ will only provide basic and limited definition and words used in ballet. For a full guide of a ballet dictionary, order the book “Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet” by Gail Grant. Handy resource book for dancers. We will also have a library set up in the KKZ office.
A
Adage, Adagio: [a-DAHZH] Adage is a french word derived from the Italian ad agio, meaning at ease or leisure.
For the English ballet teachers use “adage” meaning:
1. A series of slow and graceful movements which may be simple or of the most complex character, performed with fluidity and apparent ease. These exercises develop a sustaining pwer, sense of line, balance and the beautiful poise which enables the dancer to perform with majesty and grace.
2. The opening section of the partner, performs the slow movements and enlevements in which the danseur lifts, supports or carries the danseuse.
Air, en l’ [ahn lehr] In the air. Indicates that a movement is to be made in the air or/and that the working leg, after being opened to the second or fourth position to be raised to a horizontal position with toe on the level of the hip.
Allegro [a-lay-GROH] Brisk, lively. A term applied to all bright and brisk movements.
Allonge [a-lawn-ZHAY] Extended, outstretched.
Aplomb [a-plawn] Assurance, poise. This term applied to the dancer means that he or she has full control of the body and limbs with the weight correctly centered during a movement.
Arabesque [a-ra-BESK] One of the basic poses in ballet, arabesque takes its name from a form of Moorish ornament.
Arque [ar-KAY] Arched (bowlegged)
Arriere, en [ah na-RYHER] Backwards. Step executed away from the audience.
Assemble [a-sahn-BLAY] Assembled or joined together.
Attitude [a-tee-TWED] Position on one leg with the other liefted in back, knee bent at an angle of 90 degrees and well turned out so that the knee is higher than the foot.
Avant, en [ah na-VAHN] Forward, or moving towards the audience.
B
Balance [ba-lahn -SAY] Rocking step.
Balancoire, en [ahn ba-lahn-SWAHR] Like a seesaw.
Ballon [ba-LAWN] Bounce.
Ballotte [ba-law-TAY] Tossed.
Bas, en [ahn bah] Low. Low position of the arm.
Battement [bat-MAHN] Beating
Batterie [bat-REE] beaten steps.
Battu [ba-TEW] Beaten - any step embellished with a beat is called a pas battu.
Bras [brah] Arms
Brise [bree-SAY] Broken, breaking.
C
Cabriole [ka-bree-AWL] Caper. An allegro step in which the extended legs are beaten in the air.
Cambre [kahn-BRAY] Arched. Body is bent from the waist backwards or sideways.
Chaines [sheh-NAY] Chains, links.
Changement Battu [shahnzh-MAHN ba-TEW] Changement beaten.
Chasse [sha SAY] Chased. Step which one foot chases the other.
Cheville [shuh-VEE-yah] The ankle joint
Ciseaux [see-ZOH] Scissors. Scissor like movement.
Cloche, en [ahn klawsh] Like a bell.
Colle [kaw-LAY] Adhering, glued. Both legs kept tightly together.
Corps [kawr] body
Corte, de [duh koh-TAY] Sideways, step to be made from the side.
Cou-de-pied [koo-duh-PYAY] Neck of the foot, between the ankle and the base of the calf
Coupe [koo-PAY] Cut, or cutting.
Couru [koo-REW] Running.
Croise, Croisee [krwah-ZAY] Crossed. Crossing of the legs with the body placed at an oblique angle to the audience.
Croix, en [ahn krawh] In the shape of a cross.
Cuisse [kweess] Thigh
D
Deboite [day-bwah-TAY] Disjointed
Deboules [day-bo-LAY] Rolling like a ball
Dedans, en [ahn duh-SAHN] Inwards.
Degage [day-ga-ZHAY]Desengaged or disengaging step.
Dehors, en [ahn duh-AWR] Outwards
Demi [duh-MEE] half
Derriere [deh-RYEHR] Behind, back
Dessous [duh-SOO] Under.
Dessus [duh-SEW] Over
Detire [day-tee-RAY] Drawn out.
Detourne [day-toor-NAY] Turned aside.
Deux [duh] Two
Deuxieme [duh_ZYEM] Second
Devant [duh-VAHN] In front.
Developpe [dayv-law-PAY] Unfolding or developing movement.
Dos a dos [doh za doh] Back to back
Dos au public [doh oh pew_BLEEK] Back to the audience
Double [DOO-bluh] Double
E
Ecarte [ay-kar-TAY] Separated, thrown apart
Echappe [ay-sha-PAY] Escaping or slipping movement. Feet from a closed to open position.
Efface [eh-fa-SAY] Shaded. Which the dancer stands at an oblique angle to the audience so that a part of the body is taken back and almost hidden from view.
Elance [ay-lahn-SAY] Darting
Elevation [ay-lay-va-SYAWN] Is the ability of a dancer to attain height in dancing.
Emboite [ahn-bwah-TAY] Fitted together, boxed
En [ahn] In, while.
Enchainement [ahn-shen-MAHN] Linking
Entree [ahn-TRAY] Enterance
Enveloppe [ah-vuh-law-PAY] Envelopped.
Epaule [ay-poh-LAY] Shouldered
Epaulement [ay-pohl-MAHN] Shouldering.
Etendre [ay-TAHN-druh] To stretch.
Etendu [ay-tahn-dew] Outstretched, extended
Extension [eks-tahn-SYAWN] Term used to describe the ability of a dancer to raise and hold her extended leg en lair (in air)
F
Face, de [duh fahss] In front, full face
Face, en [ahn fahss] Opposite (audience) facing audience
Faili [fah-YEE] Giving away.
Faux [foh] false
Ferme [fehr MAY] Closed
Fondu [fawn-DEW] Sinking down
Fouette [fweh-TAY] Whipped
Frappe [fra-PAY] Struck
G
Genou [zhuh-NOO] Knee
Glissade [glee-SAD] Glide
Glisse [glee-SAY] Glided
Grand, Grande [grahn, grahnd] Big, large
H
Haut, en [ahn oh] High
J
Jambe [zhahnb] Leg
Jete [zhuh_TAY] Throw
L
Leve, temps [tahn luh-VAY] Time raised or raising movement
Lie, temps [tahn lyay] Time linked or linking movement
Ligne [LEEN-yah] Line
M
Mains [men] Hands
Maneges [ma-NEZH] Circular
O
Ouvert, Ouverte [oo-VEHR, oo-VERHT] Open, opened
P
Pas [pah] Step
Penche [pahn_SHAY] Leaning, inclining
Petit, Petite [puh-TEE, puh-TEET] Little, small
Pied [Pyay] feet
Pique [pee-KAY] Pricked, pricking
Pirouette [peer-WET] Whirl or spin
Plie [plee-AY] Bent, bending
Port de bras [pawr duh brah] Carriage of the arms.
Pose [pohz] Pose, posture
Premier [pruh-MYAY] First
R
Raccourci [ra-koor-SEE] Shortened.
Rebours, a [a ruh-BOOR] In reverse
Releve [ruhl-VAY] Raised
Retire [ruh-tee-RAY] withdrawn
Reveerence [ray-vay-RAHNSS] Reverence or curtsey. Curtsey performed by the female dancer to acknowledge the applause of the audience. It is also done at the end of ballet class to show respectful admiration of the pupils for their teacher.
Rond [rawn] Round or circular
Rond de bras [rawn duh brah] Circles of the arms
Rond de Jambe [rawn duh zhahnb] Round of the legs, circular movement of the legs
S
Saut [soh] Jump
Saute [soh-TAY] Jumped, jumping
Sautille [soh-tee-YAY] Hopped, hopping
Sissone [see-SAWN] Cutting or scissor movment
Soubresaut [soo-bruh-SOH] Sudden spring or bound.
Sous-sus [soo-SEW] Under-over
Suite, de [duh sweet] Continuously
Sur [sewr] On, upon.
Sus-sous [sew-SOO] Over-under
T
Temps [tahn] Time, step, movement
Tendu [tahn-DEW] Stretched
Terre, a [a tehr] On the ground
Tete [tet] Head
Tour [toor] Turn, turn of the body
Tournant, en [ahn toor-NAHN] Turning
TIPS ON BALLET TERMS
The ballet terms for those learning or barely understand need to remember to replace the ballet term with the translated English term for example “Attitude croise derriere” - meaning Crossed Behind/Back
