Because ballet became formalized in France, a significant part of ballet terminology is in the French language.
(French pronunciation: [a la səɡɔ̃d]) A position of the leg to the side with the body facing directly forward ("en face").
(French pronunciation: [a la katʁijɛm]) One of the directions of body, facing the audience (en face), arms in second position, with one leg extended either to fourth position in front (quatrième devant) or fourth position behind (quatrième derrière).
(French pronunciation: [a tɛʁ]) Touching the floor.
Italian, or French adage, meaning 'slowly, at ease.'
(Italian pronunciation: [alˈleːɡro]; meaning 'happy')
(French pronunciation: [alɔ̃ʒe]; meaning 'elongated.') Refers to a hand and arm position when the fingers and elbows are extended and elongated, rather than forming the usual soft curve.
The apparent elegance and precision exhibited by a confident, accomplished dancer.
In dance (particularly ballet), arabesque (French: [aʁabɛsk]; literally, "in Arabic fashion") is a body position in which a dancer stands on one leg (the supporting leg) with the other leg (the working leg) extended, straight, behind the body. The arm positions can vary and are generally allongé. The foot of the supporting leg may be flat on the floor, on the ball of the foot (demi-pointe/relevé), or on the tips of the toes (en pointe).
(French pronunciation: [aʁɔ̃di]; meaning 'rounded') A position of the hand. Rounded, in contrast with allongé ('stretched out', as in arabesque).