Arianna Fangonilo

Ballet Terms for Beginners WWW.CHASSESNLATTES.COM Plié: "to bend"; done in either demi (half) or grande (big); heels come off the ground in grand plié in all positions except seconde Tendu: "stretched"; to brush the foot along the floor until pointed, from a closed position to a pointed position Jèté: "thrown"; to brush a tendu until the foot comes off the ground to about 45 degrees; a leap in which the dancer's weight is transferred from one foot to the other Rond de jambe; "round of the leg"; tendu front (or back) and drawing a half circle with the toe En dehors: outside En dedans: inside Fondu: "to melt"; the supporting leg pliés and straightens while the other leg is moving or stationary Frappé: "to strike" Développé: "developed"; unfolding the working leg in the air through a passé position Arabesque: a position in which the dancer is standing in one leg with the other extended to the back Grand battement: similar to a jèté but with more energy that brings the foot up into a big kick Ballet Terms for Beginners WWW.CHASSESNLATTES.COM Relèvé: "to rise" Sauté: "to jump" Temps lié: "step to connect"; transfer of weight from one foot to the other Pas de waltz: "step of waltz"; a waltz walk done in a down-up-up step; a waltz is counted in measurements of 3 instead of 4 Balancé: a step in which the dancer steps down-updown Assemblé: "to assemble"; a step where the dancer's feet or legs meet together in the air and the dancer lands on both feet Adagio: slow dance movement Allegro: fast dance movement Chassé: "to chase"; a slide out then jump together Chainné turns: "chain turns" Port de bras: "carriage of the arms: Changement: "to change" Échappé: "to escape" Coup de pied: "neck of the foot" Sous-sus: done in fifth position in releve Pas de chat: "step of the cat" Grand jete: "big throw"; a big leap with straight legs Ballet Terms for Beginners WWW.CHASSESNLATTES.COM Retiré: position of the leg/foot with the little toe under the knee (front) or foot behind knee (back) Croisé: "crossed"; facing the corner with legs crossed En face: facing the front Efface: "open"; facing the corner, legs not crossed Ecarté: "exploded"; leg in second position with body to corners Devant: "in front" Dérrière: "in back" à la seconde: in second position to the side