A vertical jump in which the dancer crosses the feet repeatedly while in the air, sometimes also striking them together.

An act of spinning round on one foot or on the points of the toes, as performed by a ballet dancer, etc. Also more generally: a rapid whirl of the…

A jump into the air from which a dancer lands on one foot with the other leg extended to the back, front, or side.

Dance. A movement in which the dancer's feet or calves are beaten together during a leap.

A leap or caper; (Ballet and Dance) a jump in which the dancer touches the calves of the legs together in the air. Cf. capriole, n. 1.

A bouncing step in dancing; spec. (Ballet) a jump in which the dancer stretches one leg to either the front, the back, or the side and lands on the…

A dance step, now spec. in Ballet, comprising a swaying movement from one foot to the other; hence (see quot. 1847) the quality implicit in the step…

Any movement in which the feet or legs are beaten together in the air.

A dance movement in which the body is ‘tossed’ or ‘thrown’; spec. (Ballet) a rocking step in which the body is thrown forward and backward as the…

A circular movement of the leg performed by the dancer while on the ground (à terre) or jumping (en l'air). Frequently in extended French phrases.

A movement in which one leg is raised slightly from the ground, usually with the knee bent. Usually in plural. Cf. battement, n.

A rhythmic movement of one leg or foot (see quot. 1830). Hence grand battement, battement tendu, etc. Cf. beat, n.1 1b.

Ballet. A dancer's leap or jump (steps of elevation) off the ground; the point attained in such a leap; in modern dance, an act or the action of…

A step in which the dancer stands on one point and executes a rapid sideways ‘whipping’ movement with the free leg, frequently turning on the point…

A step, having a wide variety of forms, in which a spring is made from one foot to land on the other. Cf. grand jeté, n.

A jump starting and ending with the feet crossed, during which the dancer changes the leading foot.

A movement in which one leg is drawn up until the toes are pointed at the side of the knee of the supporting leg, and then fully extended in…

A term used in the names of various ballet movements in which there is no transfer of weight from one foot to the other (see quots.).

A jump in which a dancer opens his or her legs wide apart in the air, like the opening of a pair of scissors; = sissonne, n. Cf. ciseaux, n.

A movement in which the dancer bends the knees outwards from a standing position, in line with the out-turned feet.

A jump starting and ending with the feet crossed, during which the dancer changes the leading foot; = changement de pied, n.

Ballet. = battement, n.

In full pas (de) ciseaux, a jump in which a dancer opens his legs wide apart in the air, like the opening of a pair of scissors; = sissonne, n.

A sliding step in which the flat of the foot is often used; also pas glissé. Cf. glissade, n. 2.

A position in which the feet are apart; a movement by which the feet or legs become separated.

Ballet. A quick, lively, or brisk movement or sequence, esp. a series of jumps or turns; this style of dancing. Also: the section of a ballet…

A springing movement made with the feet pointed and the legs turned out, in which each foot is drawn up in turn to the knee (formerly also to the…

A pawing movement of the foot, reminiscent of a horse pawing the ground, made while performing a hop on the other leg.

Ballet. A jump made with straight legs and well-pointed toes, with the feet remaining in fifth position.

A leap in which a dancer springs from one foot to land on the other, with one leg stretched forward and the other backward while he or she is in…

Technical uses. Dance. A movement in which a dancer lifts his partner in the air.

dancing on points.

Ballet. Dancing on the points of the toes.

Ballet. A movement in which a dancer steps with a straight leg on to the full or half point.

A jeté executed with a turning movement.

Dance. Also with pronunciation/tʊə/. In a cotillion, a circular movement by the dancers. In Ballet, a turn by a solo dancer; tour en l'air, such a…

Ballet. The stretching of the leg at an angle from the body.

= jeté en tournant, n.

Dance, esp. Ballet. A movement in which a standing dancer lowers the body by bending the knee of one leg.

A movement in which one leg is raised to the side with the knee bent, so that the toes touch the knee of the standing leg; (also) the position…

A quick step or turn from one foot to another, or a series of these, performed in a line.

A sustained or slowly-performed movement, spec. a complete turn on point or half point.

A movement in which the working leg is brought from the front to the back of the supporting leg or vice versa, passing through a position where…

Ballet. A leap in dancing; chiefly used in the names of special steps, as saut de Basque, saut de l'ange (see quots. 1957, 1957).

Dance. A step danced on the unaccented portion of the beat; spec. in Ballet (see quots. 1952 1957).

Dance. In ballet: a slow turn made on one leg.

Ballet. A step directly on to the point of the leading foot without bending the knee.

(See quots. 1957 1961.)