en dedans
[ahn duh-DAHN]
Inward. In steps and exercises the term en dedans indicates that the leg, in a position à terre or en l’air, moves in a circular direction, counterclockwise from back to front. As, for example, in rond de jambe à terre en dedans. In pirouettes the term indicates that a pirouette is made inward toward the supporting leg.
en dehors
[ahn duh-AWR]
Outward. In steps and exercises the term en dehors indicates that the leg, in a position à terre or en l’air, moves in a circular direction, clockwise. As, for example, in rond de jambe à terre en dehors. In pirouettes the term indicates that a pirouette is made outward toward the working leg.
dégagé, or pas dégagé
[day-ga-ZHAY (or) pah day-ga-ZHAY]
Disengaged or disengaging step. A dégagé is the pointing of the foot in an open position with a fully arched instep. It is not a transfer of weight. Dégagé is performed to the front, side and back in all direction of the body.
demi
[duh-MEE]
Half.
demi-plié
[duh-MEE-plee-AY] Example
Half-bend of the knees. All steps of elevation begin and end with a demi-plié. Demi-plié is done in all feet positions.
demi-pointes
[duh-mee-PWENT]
On the half-points. Indicates that the dancer is to stand high on the balls of the feet and under part of the toes with a high-raised heels.
demi-second position
[duh-MEE-suh-GAWND paw-zee-SYAWN]
Half-second position. A term of the Cecchetti method to indicate a position of the arms midway between the first and second positions. The hands are turned inward so that the thumbnails face the audience. This position is ideas in steps such as glissade devant, temps de cuisse and so on.
Derrière
[deh-RYEHR]
Behind, back. This term may refer to a movement, step or placing of a limb in back of the body. In reference to a particular step (for example, glissade derriére), the addition of derrière implies that the working foot is closed at the back.
dessous
[duh-SOO]
Under. Indicates that the working foot passes behind the supporting foot. As, for example, in assemblé dessous.
dessus
[duh-SEW]
Over. Indicates that the working foot passes in front of the supporting foot. As, for example, in assemblé dessus.
détourné
[day-toor-NAY]
Turned aside or roundabout. A détourné is a pivot turn on both legs (on pointes or demi-pointes). It is a complete turn 360 degrees towards the back foot and reverses the position of the feet. The head is spotting. Also referred as Soutenu turn.
temps développé
[tahn dayv-law-PAY]
Time developed, developing movement. Through common usage the term has become abridged to développé. A développé is a movement in which the working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and slowly extended to an open position en l’air and held there with perfect control. The hips are kept level and square to the direction in which the dancer is facing. Développés are performed à la quatrième devant, à la seconde and à la quatrième derrière and may be executed in all directions of the body. They are done with the supporting foot flat on the ground , on the body. They are done with the supporting foot flat on the ground, on the demi-pointe, full point or en fondu. In the Cecchetti method, the working foot is brought up to the retiré position with the toe pointed at the side of the knee (retiré de côté) before extending the leg in the required direction. In the Russian and French Schools, the pointed toe is brought to retiré devant before extending the leg forward or to retiré derrière before extending the leg backward. When performing a développé to second position, the front foot is brought to retiré devant and then extended, or the back foot is brought to retiré derrière and then extended.