Related Words

Arriere: French for 'back' or 'backwards'. A step en arriere moves backwards, away from the audience. A movement done to the back of the dancer would be termed for instance grand battement en arriere . . . View Full Definition

Grand Jete: A long horizontal jump, starting from one leg and landing on the other. It is most often done forward and usually involves doing full leg splits in mid-air. The front leg brushes straight in . . . View Full Definition

Battement: It is a kicking movement of the working leg (i.e. the leg that is performing a technique). Battements are usually executed in front (en avant or a la quatrieme devant), to the side (a la sec . . . View Full Definition

Glissade: Literally, to slide. This is a traveling step starting in fifth position with demi-plie: the front foot moves out to a point, both legs briefly straighten as weight is shifted onto the point . . . View Full Definition