Tuesday, May 22, 2012

FOUETTE

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 22 May 2012

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Word of the Day:

  FOUETTE  (n. pl. -S)


Definition(s):
  1. (n.) a quick whipping movement of the raised leg in ballet, often accompanying a pirouette or other movement

Useful info for word game players:
  • Front hooks: (none)
  • Back hooks: -S
  • Anagrams: (none)
  • Longer extensions: (none)
  • Wraparounds: (none)
  • Other Spellings: (none)
  • Related Forms: (none)

Current theme:
Dance

Epilogue:
FOUETTE is just one of a bewildering array of terms relating to specific ballet movements, jumps, and positions.  It comes from a French verb, fouetter, meaning “to whip.”  Other interesting words for ballet movements include:
    • ARABESK or ARABESQUE: (n.) a pose in which the dancer stands on one foot with one arm in front and the other arm and leg behind
    • BALLONNE: (n.) a wide, circular ballet jump
    • BATTERIE: (n.) a ballet movement consisting of a leap involving the beating together of the feet or legs
    • BATTEMENT: (n.) a ballet movement in which one leg is extended and retracted, often repeatedly
    • BATTU: (adj.) pertaining to a ballet movement performed with a striking together of the legs
    • CHAINE: (n.) a series of short and usually fast ballet turns
    • DEVELOPPE: (n.) a ballet movement in which one leg is raised and then fully extended  
    • ENTRECHAT: (n.) a ballet leap in which the dancer repeatedly crosses or beats together the legs
    • JETE: (n.) a ballet leap in which one leg is extended forward and the other backward
    • PIROUETTE: (n.) a spinning about on one foot or on the points of the toes; a rapid whirl of the body
    • PLIE: (n.) a ballet movement in which the knees are bent while the back is held straight
    • POINTE: (n.) a ballet position in which the dancer is balanced on the tips of the toes
    • RELEVE: (n.) a ballet movement consisting of a rise to the toes from a flat foot
By the way, if all of this ballet terminology has you jumping for joy, then you may be a BALLETOMANE — that is, one afflicted with BALLETOMANIA, “an extraordinary enthusiasm for ballet.”


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