BALLET TERMS

Plie`: to bend   

Releve`: to rise 

Tendu: to stretch the foot and ankle on the floor

Frappe`: to strike

Fondu: to melt

En Croix - in the shape of a cross or front, side, back, side

Chasse` - to chase, one foot after the other

Changement - springing steps in the air, change of feet

En L’air - in the air

a`terre - on the floor

Arabesque - one of the basic poses in ballet, in profile position, body supported on one leg with arms extending in 4th position.

Coupe`: To Cut at the ankle

Attitude: The leg is lifted to the back in a bent position

Rond de Jambe: to circle the foot & leg 

Devant: In Front

Derriere: In Back

A la Seconde: To the side

Demi: Small/petite

Grand: Big/Large

Allonge`: To elongate the body

Port de Bras: Carriage of the arms

Jete(Ballet): to jump with legs straight in fourth position(same as leap)

Leap(Modern): to jump into the air in a split (same as Jete)

Passe`: to pass 

Battement: High kick 

Pas de Bouree`: a sideways step in which one foot crosses in front or in back of the other 

Chaine`: a turn

Pirouette: to turn with one leg in passé 

Efface`: an open ballet position

Tombe`: to fall

Saute`: to jump in the air from two feet with straight legs and landing on two feet 

 Degage`: to disengage the stretched foot from the floor 

Modern/Lester Horton Definitions

Lateral: a stretch for the latissimus (side) muscles

Coccyx bone: the tailbone

Coccyx sit: a stretch for the Abs 

Flatback: A stretch performed at 90 degree angle to strengthen the back

Foot Articulation: exercises for the foot

Diagonal: a path that goes from corner to corner

Parallel: straight line

Elementary Balance: Exercise designed to develop and/or enhance balance.

Contraction: to round the back 

Lunge: one leg bending and one leg straight   

Leg Swings: kicking the leg forward and backward in a bent position

Fan Kick: lifting the leg off the floor by cross-lifting the working leg over the standing leg in a fan like motion.

Table: Stand w/supporting leg straight and turned out, w/opposite leg raised to the side of the body at a 90 degree angle

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