What does “Dessus” mean in ballet?
( ; literally 'over.') Used to indicate that the back leg should be brought to close in front of the other leg during a step. For example, assemblé , pas de bourrée , and glissade can be designated as over or dessus .
New to ballet? Read our ballet guide — history, the five positions, class structure and how adults can start.
Definition adapted from Glossary of ballet on Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Nearby terms
Demi-détourné
A pivoted half turn executed on both feet. For example, if starting right foot front in fi…
Demi-pointe
Supporting one's body weight on the balls of one or both feet, heels raised off the floor.…
Derrière
( ; literally 'behind.') At or to the back. For example, a battement tendu derrière is a b…
Dessous
( ; literally 'under.') Used to indicate that the front leg should be brought to close beh…
Devant
( ; literally 'front.') Facing or moving to the front, as in tendu devant or attitude deva…
Double
( ; 'double.') Making two of a movement, such as in double rond de jambe en l'air .…
Déboulés
; literally 'hurtled,' as in 'with great speed.') Another name denoting the same move as a…
Dégagé
( ; 'disengaged.') Common abbreviation for battement dégagé, the foot of the working leg s…