What does “Pas de bourrée” mean in ballet?
( ; 'step of bourrée .') A quick sequence of movements beginning with extension of the first leg while demi-plié, closing the first leg to the second as both transition to relevé (demi-pointe or pointe), extending the second leg to an open position while relevé, and closing the first leg to the second in demi-plié (or optionally with legs straight if performed quickly or as the final step of an enchainement). Variants include: pas de bourrée derrière – 'behind' / pas de bourrée devant – 'front' pas de bourrée dessus – 'over,' initially closing the working foot in front / pas de bourrée dessous – 'under,' initially closing the working foot behind pas de bourrée en arriere – 'traveling backward' / pas be bourrée en avant – 'traveling forward' pas be bourrée en tournant en dedans – 'turning inward' / pas de bourrée en tournant en dehors – 'turning outward' pas de bourrée ouvert – 'open,' an open->closed->open sequence pas de bourrée piqué – 'pricked,' with working leg quickly lifted after pricking the floor pas de bourrée couru – 'running,' also 'flowing like a river'
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
Ouvert, ouverte
( ; 'open, opened.') Converse of fermé(e) ('closed'). Ouvert may refer to positions (the s…
Partnering
Dancing performed by a pair of dancers, typically a male and a female, in which the pair s…
Pas
( ; literally 'step.') A dance, or a suite of dances as in grand pas .…
Pas de basque
( ; 'step of the Basques .') Halfway between a step and a leap, taken on the floor ( gliss…
Pas de chat
( ; 'step of the cat.') A traveling sideways jump where while mid-air the legs are success…
Pas de cheval
( ; 'step of the horse.') A movement of the leg (when extended) through first or fifth pos…
Pas de deux
('Step of two.') A dance duet, usually performed by a female and a male dancer.…
Pas de poisson
( ; 'step of the fish.') A type of soubresaut , or a jump without a change of feet. From f…