Dance 110 - Terminology

Demi-plié

To bend the knees while keeping the heels on the ground

Tendu

To stretch. Foot stays attached to the floor.

Dégagé

To disengage from the floor

Coupé

The foot cuts in the opposite direction of the knee

Passé

The position the leg is in for a pirouette. The leg is bent and the toe is at the knee

Retiré

Another word for passé

Port de bras

Movement of the arms

Relevé

To rise from demi-plié with heels off the floor and legs straight

Rond de jambe

Circular movement of the leg

Par terre

On the floor

En l’air

In the air

Glissade

To glide

Sauté

Jump from two feet and land in the same position

Balancé

A rocking step

Chassé

To chase

En croix

To form a cross

Devant

In front

A la seconde

To the side

Derriére

Behind

Changement

The changing of the foot position mid jump en l’air

Fondu

Sinking down. A one legged version of a plié