Related Words

Dancer: Pin bouncing end to end, or end over end (usually off to SIDEWALL).

Plie: Literally 'bent'. A smooth and continuous bending of the knees. This can be grand-plie, a bend to the deepest position where the heels lift off the floor. For demi-plie the dancer bends knee . . . View Full Definition

Pirouette: A controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plie and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retire . . . View Full Definition

Pointe Work: Performing steps while on the tips of the toes, using a special blocked shoe. Although mostly a female dancers' skill, nowadays it is not unknown for male dancers to receive training in pointe work.

Pose: A term of the Cecchetti school. From a fondu, the dancer steps with a straight leg into demi-pointe or pointe, then brings the working leg into a coupe, so that, if the step is repeated, the . . . View Full Definition

Positions Of The Arms: There are two basic positions for the arms. In one, the dancer keeps the fingers of both arms almost touching to form an oval shape, either almost touching the hips, or at navel level, or ra . . . View Full Definition

Pique: Literally 'pricked'. A movement in which the strongly pointed toe of the lifted and extended leg sharply lowers to hit the floor then immediately rebounds upward. Same for some as the term p . . . View Full Definition

Port De Bras: Literally 'carriage of the arms'. Sometimes misspelled 'porte-bras'. Movement of the arms to different positions, it is considered a simple movement but a dancer works hard to make it seem g . . . View Full Definition

Pas De Poisson: step of the fish. Same as temps de poisson. This is a type of soubresaut, or a jump without change of feet. From fifth position, the dancer executes a deep demi plie and jumps arching the ba . . . View Full Definition

Pas De Basque: step of the Basques. Halfway between a step and a leap, taken on the floor (glisse) or with a jump (saute): it can be done moving toward the front or toward the back. This step can also be f . . . View Full Definition