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This page lists the Ballet theory words that are needed for the higher Examinations.
All Ballet terms are highlighted in red, and their explainations in black next to them.
Degage To point the foot from a closed to an open position.
Plie To bend both knees.
Saute To spring.
Fondu To bend one knee or to melt.
Tendu Stretched.
Battement Movements of the leg - to beat.
En Croix In the shape of a cross.
Grand Large.
Petite Small.
Jete To throw the weight of the body from one foot to the other.
Petite Jete Small jumps from foot to foot.
Devant In front.
Derriere Behind.
A La Seconde To the second position.
Retire To retire or withdraw.
Demi Half.
Bras Arms.
Bas Down.
Bras Bas Arms down.
Changement To change.
Soubresaut To spring in third position.
Temps Leve To hop.
Pas De Chat Step of a cat.
Pas De Cheval A pawing movement.
Coupe To cut the weight of the body from one foot to the other.
Chasse A sliding movement.
Ev Avant Forward.
En Arriere Backward
Pose A step onto a straight leg.
Developpe To unfold.
Glissade A gliding step.
Enchainements An amalgamation of steps.
Assemble To join together.
Cou De Pied The neck of the foot.
A Terre On The ground.
En L'Air In the air.
En Dehors Outwards.
En Dedans Inwards.
Soutenus To sustain.
Croise Crossed.
Ouverte Open.
Fermee Closed.
En Face Facing the front.
De Cote To the side.
Demi Detourne Half turn towards the back foot.
Pas De Basque A movement derived from the swaying of a skirt.
Glisse Gliding.
Port De Bras Carriage of arms.
Frappe To strike.
Echappe To escape.
Demi Point Half point.
Passe To pass.
Pas Bouree Three small running steps.
Releve To snatch.
Epaulment The turning of the shoulders.
En Tournant Turning.
Fouette A whipped movement.
Adage A slow movement.
Ballone A bouncing step.
Ronds De Jambo Circle of the leg.
En Rond A circular movement.
Pirouette A spin on one foot.
Dessous Under.
Dessus Over.
Ordinaire Ordinary.
Sissone A spring from two feet landing on one.
Pas Marche A walking step.
Pique To stab.
Cabriole A spring in the air beating the calves
Compose Compound.
Rotation Rotation of the leg in the hip socket.
Deboite A dovetailling movement backward.
Emboite A dovetailling movement forward.
A Deux Bras With two arms.
Battu Beaten.
Brise Broken.
En Premiere In first.
Serre Tighten.
Allotte Tossed.
Allonge Lengthened.
Penche Tilted.
Cuisse Thigh.
Raccourci To shorten.
Courru Running.
Vole Flown.
Tours En L'Air Turns in the air.