Ballet Terminology

Plié To bend - Bending action of the knees
Demi Plié Half - Half bend of the knees
Grand Plié Full - Full bend of the knees
Battement Beating or moving away from the body
Tendu To point or stretch - toe stays on the floor
Glissé To glide - toe comes just off the floor
Rond de Jambe Rounding action of the leg on the floor
Fondu To melt
Frappé To strike
Grand Battement Big throw of the leg upwards
Rise Ankle action releasing the heels off the floor
Rélèvé To raise up small snatch of legs together
Enchappé To escape the legs apart
Port de Bras Carriage of the arms
Devant In frond
Derrière At the back
à la seconde To the side
en avant Moving forwards
an arrière Moving backwards
de côté Moving to the side
à terre Tip of the toe on the floor
Allegro Jumps - movements that move quickly
Assemblé To assemble the legs together
Sauté Jump in 1st position
Changement Jump changing feet from 5th to 6th
Soubresaut Jump in 5th not changing feet
en face Body direction facing the front
Croisé Body direction - crossed legs facing the corner
Ouverte Body direction - open leg line facing the corner
Temps Lié Linking step
Developpé To unfold the leg in the air
Pirouette To turn around oneself
Pas de bourrée Linking step consisting of 3 parts
Retiré Lift the working leg toe to the supporting leg
Pas de chat Cat like step that travels sideways