Adage The second part of a ballet class ; slow work with emphasis on sustained positions and on balance.  Term describing movements or exercises performed slowly with ease, grace and fluidity, highlighting the dancers line and balance.

Allegro The third part of a ballet class ; fast work, jumps, turns.  Usually divided into petit (little) and grand (big) allegro.  Term describing movements performed quickly and with liveliness, highlighting the dancers speed and agility.

Arabesque A position in which the dancer stands on one leg with the other one extended derriere (behind). The extended leg can be a terre (on the ground) or en l'air (in the air).  This can be taken with a number of different body alignments and arm lines.

Assemble  (with accent on 2nd e) (assembled) A jump finishing and ending in 5th position.  The working foot brushes the floor with a demi plie followed immediately by a jump where the legs join mid air and land feet in 5th with a demi plie.

A terre (with accent on a) On the Ground

Attitude  A body position in which the working leg is placed either in front of or behind the body, usually bent, and the arms and head complete the line.

 Balance (with accent on e) to rock, swing, sway, to and fro, find counterbalance or equilibrium.  A lyrical step consisting of 3 transferences of weight.

Battement  A beating action of the working leg, usually involving a movement away from and towards the body.

Battement Fondu  To melt.  A blended bending action of the legs. An exercise for developing strength and coordination in the working and supporting legs. 

Battement Frappe (with accent on e in frappe) A striking action of the lege. An exercise for developing strength, power and coordination in the working ankle and foot.

Battement Glisse (with accent on e in glisse) A gliding beating action of the working leg.

Battement Tendu A stretched beating action of the working leg. Pointing foot out and then closing into 1st, 3rd or 5th.

Batterie  Jumps performed with a beating action of the legs whilst in the air.

Chaines (with accent on a and e) Type of turn usually performed on the diagonal. When performed in series, each step is taken in 1st position along the line of dance.

Changement  A jump in which the  legs begin in 5th position and change in the air so that the opposite foot is in front.

Chasse (with accent on e) A step in which one foot slides and the other is drawn or pulled in toward it.  In four steps-plie, slide feet to 4th or 2nd,pull up and close.

Coupe (with accent on the e) An action in which the dancers weight is transferred from on e leg to the other with the working leg cutting in front of, beside, or behind and replacing the supporting foot.

Courus  A series of very small transfers of weight (steps) performed in 1st or 5th position.  To facilitate the motion there is a slight release in the knees.