Ballet Final
Ballet Terms Flashcards
1. Croisé devant (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally, one leg extended to the front with the foot pointed. The extended leg crosses in front of the body.
2. Croisé derrière (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally, one leg extended to the back with the foot pointed. The extended leg crosses behind the body.
3. Écarté devant (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally, one leg extended to the side with the foot pointed. The extended leg is nearer to the audience.
4. Écarté derrière (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally, one leg extended to the side with the foot pointed. The extended leg is farther from the audience.
5. Épaulé (battement tendu) (effacé derrière)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally with one leg extended to the back. The opposite shoulder is forward, creating a slightly twisted appearance.
6. Effacé devant (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces diagonally, one leg extended to the front with the foot pointed. The extended leg does not cross the body, creating an "open" line.
7. à la quatrième devant (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces directly front, one leg extended forward with the foot pointed.
8. à la quatrième derrière (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces directly front, one leg extended backward with the foot pointed.
9. à la seconde (battement tendu)
Position: The dancer faces directly front, one leg extended to the side with the foot pointed.
10. First arabesque
Position: The dancer stands on one leg with the other extended straight behind. The opposite arm extends forward, the same arm as the standing leg reaches side or downward.
11. Second arabesque
Position: Similar to the first arabesque, but the opposite arm to the standing leg extends forward.
12. Third arabesque
Position: Both arms extend forward, one higher than the other, while the dancer balances on one leg with the other extended behind.
13. Fourth arabesque
Position: A bent supporting leg with the working leg extended behind and arms in opposite directions, one forward and one to the side.
14. Demi plié (first, second, fourth, fifth position)
Action: A half-bend of the knees while keeping the heels on the ground.
15. Grand plié (first, second, fourth, fifth position)
Action: A full bend of the knees, lowering the body deeply while the heels lift (except in second position).
16. Relevé (in first and second position)
Action: Rising onto the balls of the feet or toes from a flat position.
17. Sous-sus
Action: A tight relevé in fifth position where the feet draw closely together.
18. Battement Dégagé (devant, derrière, à la seconde)
Action: The foot brushes off the floor and extends to a few inches above the ground.
19. Rond de jambe en dehors
Action: A circular motion of the leg outward from front to back.
20. Rond de jambe en dedans
Action: A circular motion of the leg inward from back to front.
21. Battement fondu (devant, derrière, à la seconde)
Action: Both legs bend and stretch simultaneously, the working foot pointed.
22. Battement frappé (devant, derrière, à la seconde)
Action: The foot strikes the floor and extends outward.
23. Grand Battement (devant, derrière, à la seconde)
Action: A powerful kick of the leg to its maximum height.
24. Sur le cou-de-pied
Position: The working foot is wrapped around the ankle of the standing leg.
25. Cou-de-pied (devant, derrière)
Position: The working foot is placed just above the ankle, either in front or behind.
26. Retiré
Position: The working foot is drawn up to touch the supporting knee.
27. Passé
Action: The working leg moves from front to back (or vice versa) while passing the knee.
28. Balancé de côté
Action: A rocking step to the side involving shifting weight.
29. Pas de bourrée
Action: A three-step movement transferring weight from one foot to the other.
30. Tombé
Action: Falling onto one foot with the other extended.
31. Chassé
Action: A gliding step where one foot chases the other.
32. Piqué turn
Action: A turn performed by stepping directly onto the ball of the foot with the other leg in retiré.
33. Soutenu (en tournant)
Action: A smooth turn in relevé from one side to the other.
34. Chaînés
Action: A series of rapid turns performed on two feet in relevé.
35. Pirouette en dehors from fifth
Action: A turn on one leg, moving outward from the standing leg.
36. Sauté (first, second position)
Action: A simple jump with both feet leaving and returning to the floor.
37. Changement (sauté)
Action: A jump that changes the position of the feet in the air.
38. Échappé (sauté)
Action: A jump where the feet escape from fifth position to an open position.
39. Sauté arabesque
Action: A jump performed in an arabesque position.
40. Glissade de côté
Action: A sliding step to the side.
41. Jeté
Action: A leap from one foot to the other, landing with the working leg extended.
42. Pas de chat
Action: A "cat-like" leap where both knees bend and pass through retiré.
43. Saut de chat
Action: A grand leap where the leading leg develops into an extended position.
44. Tour jeté
Action: A turning jump where the working leg brushes forward and switches to the other leg in the air.