Dancers have many names for the movments they do.  Most of the words are French since ballet originated in France.  Basic terms are used for all classes in dance but ballet uses the most.
Arabesque-a balance on one foot with the other leg extended behind

Assemblé-a jump from one foot and landing on two

Attitude- a position  where a dancers balances on one foot with the other (behind or in front) knee bent at a right angle

Cabriole-a large jump where one leg beats against the others in front or behind

 Entrechat- a jump that consist of beating the legs four times back adn front

Fondu-a lowering of the body by bending the knee

Fouetteé- a slow whipping turn with the leg

Jeté- a large jump

Piqué turn- piqué means "pricked" referring to the action of stepping directly onto the foot in a serious of turns

 
 

Chassé-a sliding step

Chaintés-a series of rapid turns across the stage

Coupé-a small step involving a change of the feet

Dégagé- movement of the leg and foot from a closed to an open postion

Développé- slow unfolding movement of one leg

  

Pirouette- a turn or series of turns

Plié- bending of the knee or knees

Promenade- the dancer "walks" herself around with tiny movements on the flat of her foot

Relevé- raising the body onto pointe or demi-pointe

Tendu-the postion of extending the foot away the body with the toe on the ground

 

 

 

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