beginning dance vocabulary #2

alignment

The relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and base of support.

arabesque

A position in which the dancer balances on one leg with the other leg extended behind.

asymmetry

Unevenness.

symmetry

Stability.

battement

An exercise in which the working leg is raised from the hip into the air and brought down again with emphasis on the downward movement.

chaînés

A sequence of tiny half turns done alternately on one foot and then the other with the whole body perfectly balanced.

chasse

A step in which one foot chases the other foot out of its position, passing through 5th position in the air.

dégagé

Pointing of the foot with a fully arched instep, disengaging from the floor.

grapevine

A pattern of steps in the order of side-back-side-front.

jeté

A jump taking off from one leg and landing on the other.

piqué turn

Means 'pricked,' referring to the action of stepping directly onto demi-point between pirouettes.