Ballet glossary
A significant part of ballet terminology is in French language.
Related links
- -Dance basic topics - Ballet - Glossary of ballroom dance terms.
Unless there is much to say about a specific term, there is no reason to put each and every of them into a separate article.
References
External links
America Ballet Theatre: Dictionary
A
Abbreviations
Arabesque
(Literally: in Arabic fashion) A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg (with the knee straight) is extended behind the body, one hand is usually in front of the body. The back leg may either touch the floor or be elevated by an appropriate angle. See also: .
Attitude
A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg is raised behind, to side or in front of the the body with the knee bent. See also: .
B
C
Chassé
The word is pronounced "sha-SAY" and translated as "chase". A s
Chaînés
Pronounced as "sheh-NAY". This is a common abbreviation for "tours chaînés déboulés", which is a series of quick turns on alternating feet with progression along a straight line or circle. In classical ballet it is done on the points or (on the balls of the feet).
E
Epaulement
Rotation of the shoulders and head relative to the hips in a pose or a step.
F
First position
Fourth position
Fifth position
P
Pas
Literally, movement. A pas de une is a dance for one, a pas de deux is a dance for two.
Positions of feet
Rond de jambe
(Literally: circle of the leg). The moving leg describes a semicircle on the floor, either from front to back (rond de jambe en dehors) or from back to front (rond de jambe en dedans).
S
Second position
T
Third position
Z
|
