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Ballet Dictionary Letter A
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adagio
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ah-dazj'-eh-oh
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Slow. A slow, sustained movement.
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allegro
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ah-leh-groh'
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Fast. Jumps performed to a quick, sharp tempo.
Grand allegro: large jumps.
Petite allegro: small jumps.
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allongé
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aa-lohn-jay'
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arabesque
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ah-rah-besk
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A pose on one leg with the other leg extended to the back;
originally, a flourished, curved line used in Arabic motifs.
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arrière, en
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ahn ah-rehy'-her
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assemblé
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ah-sahm-blay'
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To assemble; a jump from one foot landing on two feet.
Example: from 5th position brush the back leg to the side 45° as the supporting leg bends at the knee, then jump off the floor, land on both legs in 5th position at the same time.
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attitude
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ah-teh-tewd'
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A pose on one leg with the other extended with the knee slightly bent either to the front, side, or back.
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avant, en
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ahn ah-vahn'
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Ballet Dictionary Letter B
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balancé
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bah-lahn-say'
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To swing; to rock.
A swinging 3-step movement that is usually done either on the musical meter of 3/8 or 6/8.
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balançoire
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bah-lahn-swahr'
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See-saw.
A movement that as the leg moves forward and backwards, the body bends in the opposite direction.
Example: begin with working leg to the back and the body leaning slightly forward, pass the leg through 1st position and straighten the body, then extend the leg to the front and the body leans slightly backwards.
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ballonné
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bah-lahn-nay'
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Expanded; from balloon (air balloon).
A jump from one foot to the same foot as the other leg is extended outward and then returns to original position.
Example: begin with the working leg to the back and the body leaning slightly forward, pass the leg through 1st position and straighten the body, then extend the leg to the front and the body leans slightly backwards.
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ballotté
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bah-luh-tay'
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To toss; to toss about.
A jump that can be done from either one foot or two feet.
Example: from 5th position, jump off the floor with both feet, extend the front leg either to the front, side, or back by bending the knee, and land on the back leg.
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basque, pas de
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pah-duh-bahsk'
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Step of the Basque (a country that lies between France and Spain).
A step that can be performed as a sliding movement on the floor or as a jump.
Example: right leg front 5th position; extend the right leg to the front as the supporting leg bends at the knee (demi-plié), make a quarter circle clock-wise (ronds de jambes à terre en dehors) moving the right leg to the side, step over on the right leg and bring the left leg's foot to the ankle of the right leg (sur le cou-de-pieds en avant), step forward (temps lié) on the left leg and extend the right leg back, close the right leg back to 5th position.
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battement
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baht-mahn'
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batterie
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baht-tree'
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Battery; beating.
A general term used to describe the beating of the legs.
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battu
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bah-tew'
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Beaten; beat.
A term used to describe certain steps and jumps. i.e. échappé battu: a jump from two feet with a beat before landing on two feet; also, a specific movement usually performed at the barre. i.e. battement battu: standing on one leg while the other leg beats against it.
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bourrée
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boo-ray'
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To tamp.
A step done on the half-toe where one leg pulls the other leg to close both in a tight 5th position in a series of very small and rapid steps.
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bourrée, pas de
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pah-duh-boo-ray'
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A movement done as a series of three steps.
Example: right leg back in 5th position, pick up the back leg (coupé) to the back of the ankle of the supporting leg (sur le cou-de-pieds en arrière), step up on the right leg, step side on the left leg, close the right leg to 5th position front.
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brisé
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bree-zay'
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To break apart; to burst.
A beating jump from 5th position to 5th position travelling either forward or backwards.
Example: right foot back to 5th position on the diagonal; throw the leg forward and while travelling forward, beat the supporting leg, and then land with the working leg back in the 5th position.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter C
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cabriole
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kah-bree'-ohl
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Caper; leap.
A beating jump from one leg to the same leg.
Example: hold one leg off the floor and then jump up with the supporting leg, beat it against the other leg and land back on the original supporting leg.
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chaîné
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shah-nay'
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To chain; series of connected movements.
Example: make half-turns in 1st position travelling to the side very quickly.
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changé
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shahn-zjay'
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changement
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shahnzj-mahn'
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Alteration; a jump from 5th position, changing the legs and landing in 5th position.
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chassé
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shah-say'
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To glide; a smooth gliding movement that can be either front, side, or back.
Example: with one leg in the front and extended forward of the other leg, step forward on the extended leg, pull both legs together travelling forward in the air, then, land on the back leg with the front leg extended.
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chat, pas de
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pah duh shah
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Step of the cat; a jump from one foot to the other, and when in the air both feet are off the ground.
Example: right leg front 5th position, pull the leg up sharply to the knee and then extend it to the side with the knee slightly bent, jump off the left leg, bringing it up to meet the right leg with its knee slightly bent, land on the right leg, and then bring the left leg to front 5th position.
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cheval, pas de
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pah de shuh-vahl'
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A step of the horse; a movement that can be done on the floor or as a jump, and at 45°, 90°, or 120°.
Example: right leg in front 5th position, pull the right leg up sharply to the supporting leg's ankle, extend it forward and touch the floor with the toes, then, close it in 5th position.
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cinq
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sank
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cinquième
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sank'-ee-em
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ciseaux, pas de
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pah deh see-zjoh'
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Scissors; step of the scissors; a jump from one leg where both legs pass each other forward in the air and landing on one leg.
Example: step on the left leg, pass the right leg through 1st position to the front 45° or 90° off the floor, jump up with the left leg passing the right leg, then, land on the right leg and pass the left leg through 1st position to the back 45° or 90° off the floor.
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cloche, en
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ahn klohsh
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Bell; as a bell; a rocking, swinging motion like a bell.
Example: balançoire en cloche, execute balançoire but with the upper torso swinging in large arcs in the opposite direction of the leg.
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contretemps
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kahn-trah-than'
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Contrary step; a step from one direction that quickly changes to the other.
Example: facing down-room corner with right leg crossed in front of the left leg, in a clock-wise circle move the left leg forward of the right leg and change directions to face the other down-room corner, step on the left leg and pass the right leg forward.
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coté, de
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deh koh-tay'
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cou-de-pieds, sur le
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surh leh koo'-deh-pehay
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Upon the neck of the foot; sur le cou-de-pieds side, back, or front.
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coupé
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koo-pay'
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To cut; a movement that calls for the foot to be sharply pulled off the floor and placed either in front or back of the ankle.
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couru, pas
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pah koo-rew'
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Step to travel; to pursue; a movement that is quick and light, travelling across the floor.
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croisé
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krawh-zay'
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To cross; a position that requires the dancer to face on the diagonal and have one leg crossed in front of the other.
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croix, en
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ahn krawh
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In a cross shape; a term used to describe a movement that is done to the front, side, back, and side again.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter D
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d'ici-de là
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deh-see'-deh-lah'
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From here to there; a term used to describe a movement with the leg off the floor 45° or 90°.
Example: leg in front 45°, quickly carry the leg to the side, then, back to the front.
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de
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deh
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dedans, en
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ahn deh-dahn'
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Inwards; a directional term that is used to describe a turn.
Example: standing on the left leg with the right foot passé (right foot placed on the knee of the supporting leg and knee, facing outwards), turn counter-clock-wise.
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dehors, en
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ahn dah-ohr'
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Outwards; a directional term that is used to describe a turn.
Example: standing on the left leg with the right foot passé (right foot placed on the knee of the supporting leg and knee, facing outwards), turn clock-wise.
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demi-plié
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deh-mee'-plee-ay'
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Small bend; a movemen fundamental to ballet that calls for the knee, or knees, to bend in alignment over the toes without causing the heel, or heels, of the foot to lift off the floor.
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demi-pointes
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deh-mee'-pwant
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Small point; rise; a rise on to the ball of the foot; usually referred to when a ballerina is in pointe shoes.
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demi-ronds
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deh-mee'-rohn
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Half-round; half-circle; a term used to describe a movement of the leg usually off the floor 45° or 90° and travels from the front to the side or side to back (en dehors), or from the back to the side or side to the front (en dedans).
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deh-rehy'-her
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deh-rehy'-her
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dessous
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deh-soo'
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Under; a directional term used to describe a movement.
Example: right leg in front 5th position, extend the right leg to the side and then place it in 5th position back.
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dessus
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deh-sew'
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Over; a directional term used to describe a movement.
Example: right leg back 5th position, extend the right leg to the side and then place it in 5th position front.
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deux
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duh
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deuxième
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duh-zee-em'
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devant
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deh-vahn'
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diagonale
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dy-aguh-nahl'
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divisés en quarts
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deh-vee-say' ahn kar
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Divide in quarters: a movement on one leg with the other extended that switches the position of the body and leg with one quarter turn.
Example: begin in 5th position, extend the front leg either 45° or 90° to the front, turn on the supporting leg one quarter-circle as the leg is moved to the side.
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dix
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deess
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Ballet Dictionary Letter E
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ecarté
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ay'-kar-tay'
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Step aside; swerving; deviation; one of three épualement positions; a directional term used to describe a position where the leg is extended to the side.
Example: with the hips and shoulders facing the diagonal, extend one leg to the side.
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échappé
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ay'-shah-pay'
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To escape; a movement that begins in 5th position and moves quickly to 2nd position either by sliding feet to the ball of the foot or as a jump from 5th position to 2nd position.
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effacé
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ay-fah-say'
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To draw aside; one of three épualement positions; a directional term used to describe a position where one leg is in either in front or back.
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emboîté
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ahn-bwah-tay'
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To fit in; joining; a jumping movement from one foot to the other.
Example: with the right leg slightly bent and held off the floor 45°, jump up and land on the right leg with the left leg slightly bent and held off the floor 45°; usually this move is repeated in quick succession.
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en
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ahn
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entrechat
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ahn-truh-shah'
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To caper; to dash against each other; a jump from two feet, beating the legs together and landing either on one or two feet.
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entrelacé
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ahn-truh-lah-say'
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épualement
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ay-pawhl-mahn'
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Shoulder; a term used to describe one of three positions: croisé, écarté, or effacé.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter F
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face, en
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ahn fahss
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To face; a basic position that calls for the dancer to face the front.
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failli
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fah-yee'
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To nearly fall; a movement that has the body supported on one leg, lean off-balance, then quickly pass the other leg in a given direction and catch the fall.
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fermé
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fehr-may'
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To close; a term used to describe numerous jumps that requires the dancer to close the working leg after the jump ends.
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flic-flac
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flehk-flak
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Slap; pop ( a term used to describe a sound and/or action);a movement performed either in place, with a half-turn or whole turn, and is referenced as either en dehors or en dedans.
Example: with the working leg extended to the front, it closes front 5th position, brushes up the front of the ankle, extends to the side, closes back 5th position, extends to the back, and then closes 5th position.
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fondue
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fohn-dew'
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To melt; a movement that calls for the dancer to stand on one foot, bending and extending both legs at the same time.
Example: the working leg extended to the side, bring the working leg's foot to the ankle of the supporting leg as both legs bend at the knees, extend the working leg to the side with the knee bent, then stretch both legs at the same time.
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fouetté
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fweh-tay'
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To whip; a movement on one leg that requires the dancer to change the hip and torso direction while maintaining the leg direction and position.
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frappé
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frah-pay'
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To strike; to strike powerfully; a quick action of the leg.
Example: the working leg's foot is placed in the front of the supporting leg's ankle, quickly throw the foot forward then softly bring it back to the ankle. This movement can be done front, side, or back, and can also be done with beats.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter G
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gargouillade
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gahr-gooee-yahd'
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Water spout; an advanced jump from one foot to the other, and can be done en dehors or en dedans.
Example: right foot front 5th position, brush the front leg quickly to the side and jump up, off the other leg; while in the air, first execute a ronds de jambes en l'air en dehors with the right leg and as the right leg lands execute a ronds de jambes en l'air en dedans with the left leg, then close the left leg 5th position front.
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grand
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grahn
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grand jeté
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grahn zjuh-tay'
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Large throw; to fling; a large jump that is done from one foot to the other; it can be done either fermé (closed) or ouverte (open); there are many forms of grand jeté such as: grand jeté attitude croisé en arriére (large jump on the diagonal with one leg extended forward and the other leg extended to the back, slightly bent at the knees).
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grand pirouette
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grahn peer-whet'
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Large turn; a turn with the leg extended to the side that is usually executed by the male dancer as a virtuoso movement in a series of turns; in its single form both males and females practice it.
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grand plié
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grahn plee-yay'
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A large bend; a movement that requires both knees to fully bend at the same time, and the body is lowered very close to the floor.
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grands ronds de jambes
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grahn rohn deh zjahmb'
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A large movement of the leg; a movement of the leg that requires the dancer to either have the leg travel from the front to the back in a large half-circle (en dehors) or circling in the rear
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Ballet Dictionary Letter H
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huit
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weet
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Ballet Dictionary Letter I
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Ballet Dictionary Letter J
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jambes, ronds de
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rohn duh zjahmb
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Circling of the legs; a movement that calls for the dancer to move the leg in a circle; this can be done on the floor (à terre), or off the floor (en l'air) at 45°, 90°, or 120° and either outward (en dehors) or inward (en dehors).
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jeté
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zjeh-tay'
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To throw; to toss; a sharp movement that either describes a throw of the leg or a jump with a throw of the leg.
There are many forms of jeté fermé, jeté ouverte, grand jeté, grand battement jeté, jeté entrelacé.
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jeté entrelacé
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zjeh-tay' ahn-trah-lah-say'
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A large advanced movement from one leg to the other.
Example: step forward on the right leg, throw the left leg forward and jump in the air, switch the torso and hips to face the opposite direction and throw the left leg forward, then land on the left leg with the right leg held off the floor in the back.
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jeté passé
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zjeh-tay' pah-say'
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A movement that basically begins in 5th position and after the jump ends in one leg to the back.
Example: left leg front 5th position facing the diagonal, sharply lift the back foot to the ankle of the front leg, close it back in 5th position as the left leg is thrown backwards with the knees slightly bent, as the left leg returns to the floor, jump up with the right leg and throw it backwards keeping the knee slightly bent, then, land on the left leg in the back with its knee slightly bent.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter K
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Ballet Dictionary Letter L
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l'air, en
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ahn lahr
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In the air; a term used to describe a jump or leg position.
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Ballet Dictionary Letter M
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