ARABESQUE indicates a position of the body where a dancer stands on one leg with the supporting leg and foot either en pointe, demi pointe, or on a flat foot. The back leg may either touch the floor in tendu back or be raised at an angle.
JETÉ is a ballet jump or leap during which a dancer transfers his or her weight from one foot to the other; the dancer throws one leg to the front, side, or back and holds the other leg in position while landing.
PLIÉ means “to bend” and is a move done when a dancer smoothly and continuously bends his or her knees. This can be grand-plié, which is a bend to the deepest position, or a demi-plié, in which a dancer bends his or her knees until just below the hips while staying turned out at the joints, keeping the thighs and knees directly above the toes. The goal is to keep the heels on the ground as long as possible.
PIROUETTE is French for “to turn” and is a move done on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plié. Male ballet dancers typically rise up into relevé while female dancers rise into pointe before turning on one leg.