Education & Community Engagement
Ballet Glossary
Face (en ~) [ahn fahss]
This is French for
“opposite,” referring to when a dancer is standing opposite
the audience, or facing square to the audience.
Failli [fah-YEE] – This word is French for “giving way.” This is a fleeting movement done in the air from fifth position. In the air, keep both feet in close together and turn body to the side, while keeping head to the audience. When landing this step, the front leg lands in plié, while the back leg raises just off (45 degrees) the floor.
Flic-flac [fleek-FLAK] – This term is used in the Russian School and means “crack” like of a whip. A movement performed either in place, with a half-turn or whole turn, and is referenced as either en dehors or en dedans. At the barre, to demonstrate an en dehors turn, the foot starts to the side, brushes through fifth position to the back, the body whips around, and the foot touches the floor in front as the body comes back around to the front again, and the foot opens to second position.
Fondu, fondue [fawn-DEW]
This is French for
“melted.” The term refers to any movement that lowers the
body by bending one leg. In a plié, both legs support the
body; in a fondu, only one leg supports the body.
Fouetté [fweh-TAY]
This is French for “whipped,”
referring to a fast, whipping movement. This term is
commonly used to describe a fouetté turn, in which the leg
helps to whip the body around in a series of quick
pirouettes.