Glossary of Dance Terms

Arabesque: a move where the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg extended behind her at 90 degrees.

Cambre back: a bend from the waist to the back.

Chaîné: a series of quick turns.

Développé: a move where the dancer unfolds her leg in the air.

Fouetté: a turning step where the leg whips out to the side.

Grand jeté: a large forward leap in the air that looks like a flying split.

Pas de bourrée: a move involving three quick steps.

Passé: a move in which the working foot passes close to the knee of the standing leg.

Pirouette: a turn on one leg with the other leg behind.

Relevé: to rise up on pointe or on demi-pointe.