Intermediate Foundation: Vocabulary for Free Enchaînement

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering classical ballet terminology, translations, mechanics, and directions for Intermediate Foundation Free Enchaînement.

Assemblé

Meaning “to gather; gathered,” a jump starting from 5th position with a demi-plié where one leg slides out to brush off the floor, and the push from the supporting leg combined with this sliding provides force into the air, where both legs join together fully stretched in 5th position at the height of the jump before landing on two feet. Arms lift to demi-seconde and return to bras bas upon landing, with épaulement finishing with the same shoulder forward as the foot finishing devant.

Assemblé Devant

Meaning “gathered step; front,” an assemblé in which the front foot slides out to 2nd position and finishes devant.

Assemblé Derrière

Meaning “gathered step; behind,” an assemblé in which the back foot slides out to 2nd position and finishes derrière.

Assemblé Dessus (Over)

Meaning “gathered step; over,” an assemblé in which the back foot slides out to 2nd position and finishes devant.

Assemblé Dessous (Under)

Meaning “gathered step; under,” an assemblé in which the front foot slides out to 2nd position and finishes derrière.

Petit Assemblé

Meaning “small; gathered step,” a small jump sur place (on the spot, no travelling) from one foot to two feet. With the working foot placed sur le cou-de-pied (on the neck of the foot), there is a spring off the supporting leg; both legs then assemble fully stretched in 5th position in the air before the jump lands in 5th position.

Petit Assemblé Devant

Meaning “small; gathered step; front,” a petit assemblé in which the working foot begins sur le cou-de-pied devant and ends 5th devant.

Petit Assemblé Derrière

Meaning “small; gathered step; behind,” a petit assemblé in which the working foot begins sur le cou-de-pied derrière and ends 5th derrière.

Changement

Meaning “to change; changing,” a jump in which the legs begin in 5th position and change through 1st position in the air at the height of the jump (separating as little as possible) to land in the opposite 5th position (the foot that starts derrière finishes devant).

Changement Battu

Meaning “changing; beaten,” a changement in which the legs beat together in the air. From 5th position, the legs beat together when leaving the ground without a change of feet, before landing with a change of feet.

Glissade

Meaning “to glide; sliding,” a connecting step travelling in any direction and performed terre à terre. Starting from 5th position en demi-plié, the working foot extends to a dégagé in 2nd en fondu; the supporting leg pushes away and releases so that both legs are momentarily fully stretched before weight lowers through the leading foot into fondu and the other foot draws firmly into 5th position en demi-plié.

Glissade Devant

Meaning “sliding step; front,” a glissade sideways initiated by the front foot and executed without a change of feet. The front foot extends to 2nd position and the other foot closes 5th derrière.

Glissade Derrière

Meaning “sliding step; behind,” a glissade sideways initiated by the back foot and executed without a change of feet. The back foot extends to 2nd position and the other foot closes 5th devant.

Glissade Dessus (Over)

Meaning “sliding step; over,” a glissade sideways initiated by the back foot and performed with a change of feet. The back foot extends to 2nd position and the other foot closes 5th derrière.

Glissade Dessous (Under)

Meaning “sliding step; under,” a glissade sideways initiated by the front foot and performed with a change of feet. The front foot extends to 2nd position and the other foot closes 5th devant.

Jeté

Meaning “to throw; a thrown action,” defined generally as a jump taking off from one leg and landing on the other.

Jeté Ordinaire Devant

Meaning “thrown; ordinary; front,” a jump from one foot to the other landing with the freed foot contacting the base of the shin. From 5th devant en demi-plié, the front foot slides out to 2nd position just below $45^{\circ}$, spring off the supporting leg occurs, and the extended leg comes behind the other leg to land with the freed foot devant, the little toe making contact with the middle of the shin.

Jeté Ordinaire Derrière

Meaning “thrown; ordinary; behind,” a jump from one foot to the other landing with the freed foot contacting the base of the calf. From 5th derrière en demi-plié, the back foot slides out to 2nd position just below $45^{\circ}$, spring off the supporting leg occurs, and the extended leg comes in front of the other leg to land with the freed foot derrière, the big toe making contact with the base of the calf.

Pas de Bourrée

Meaning “bourrée step,” terre à terre steps performed in a continuous movement in any direction, demanding quick, precise footwork.

Pas de Bourrées Devant

Meaning “bourrée step; front,” a pas de bourrée travelling sideways starting and closing devant. From 5th en demi-plié, the working foot extends to 2nd at glissé height, closes into 5th devant en demi-pointes, the back foot immediately steps to a small 2nd en demi-pointes, and the other foot closes into 5th devant en demi-plié.

Pas de Bourrées Derrière

Meaning “bourrée step; behind,” a pas de bourrée travelling sideways starting and closing derrière. From 5th en demi-plié, the working foot extends to 2nd at glissé height, closes into 5th derrière en demi-pointes, the front foot immediately steps to a small 2nd en demi-pointes, and the other foot closes into 5th derrière en demi-plié.

Pas de Bourrées Dessus (Over)

Meaning “bourrée step; over,” a pas de bourrée travelling sideways with closing actions taken devant-derrière. From 5th en demi-plié, the working foot extends to 2nd at glissé height, closes into 5th devant en demi-pointes, the back foot immediately steps to a small 2nd en demi-pointes, and the other foot closes into 5th derrière en demi-plié.

Pas de Bourrées Dessous (Under)

Meaning “bourrée step; under,” a pas de bourrée travelling sideways with closing actions taken derrière-devant. From 5th position en demi-plié, the working foot extends to 2nd at glissé height, closes into 5th derrière en demi-pointes, the front foot immediately steps to a small 2nd en demi-pointes, and the other foot closes into 5th devant en demi-plié.

Sissonne

Thought to originate from the word “ciseau” (meaning “scissors”), a jump from two feet to one foot, often characterized by a scissor-like action.

Sissonne Fermée de Côte Devant

Meaning “sissonne; closed; sideways; front,” a sissonne fermée de côté in which the working leg begins and ends in front. From 5th devant en demi-plié, the jump travels sideways toward the foot that began behind, fully stretching that leg under the body while the other opens to 2nd at $45^{\circ}$, landing on one foot with the open foot immediately closing 5th devant en demi-plié.

Sissonne Fermée de Côte Derrière

Meaning “sissonne; closed; sideways; behind,” a sissonne fermée de côté in which the working leg begins and ends behind. From 5th derrière en demi-plié, the jump travels sideways toward the foot that began in front, fully stretching that leg under the body while the other opens to 2nd at $45^{\circ}$, landing on one foot with the open foot immediately closing 5th derrière en demi-plié.

Sissonne Fermée de Côte Dessus (Over)

Meaning “sissonne; closed; sideways; over,” a sissonne fermée de côté in which the working leg begins behind and ends in front. From 5th devant en demi-plié, the jump travels sideways toward the foot that began in front, stretching that leg under the body as the other opens to 2nd at $45^{\circ}$, landing on one foot with the open foot immediately closing 5th devant en demi-plié.

Sissonne Fermée de Côte Dessous (Under)

Meaning “sissonne; closed; sideways; under,” a sissonne fermée de côté in which the working leg begins in front and ends behind. From 5th devant en demi-plié, the jump travels sideways toward the foot that began behind, stretching that leg under the body as the other opens to 2nd at $45^{\circ}$, landing on one foot with the open foot immediately closing 5th derrière en demi-plié.

Temps Levé

Meaning “time or beat; lifted,” a jump off one foot landing on the same foot (a hop). It can occur in positions such as Attitude Devant, Parallel Retiré, Retiré Derrière, and 1st and 2nd Arabesque.