Glossary of ballet terms

A significant part of ballet terminology is in French language.

Related links

-Dance basic topics - Ballet - Glossary of ballroom dance terms.

Unless there is much to say about a specific term, there is no reason to put each and every of them into a separate article.

References

• Rhonda Ryman. Dictionary of Classical Ballet Terminology. Princeton Book Co Publ. ASIN: 0952484803. (2nd edition, softcover, August 1998)

External links

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Abbreviations

Arabesque

(Literally: in Arabic fashion) A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg (with the knee straight) is extended behind the body, one hand is usually in front of the body. The back leg may either touch the floor or be elevated by an appropriate angle. See also: Attitude.

Attitude

A pose in which the dancer is standing on one leg, the other leg is raised behind, to side or in front of the the body with the knee bent. See also: Arabesque.

B

E

Epaulement

Rotation of the shoulders and head relative to the hips in a pose or a step.

F

First position

Fourth position

Fifth position

P

Positions of feet

• First
• Second
• Third
• Fourth
• Fifth

Rond de jambe

(Literally: circle of the leg). The moving leg describes a semicircle on the floor, either from front to back (rond de jambe en dehors) or from back to front (rond de jambe en dedans).

S

Second position

T

Third position

Z