pirouette
noun
- type of dance non-traveling turn on one foot
verb
- perform a pirouette
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˌpɪ.ɹʊˈɛt/ / /ˌpɪ.ɹuːˈɛt/ / /ˌpɪ.ɹəˈwɛt/
noun
Etymology: Borrowed from French pirouette, see there for more; attested since 1706.
- A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing, primarily in ballet.
“[…]like what?—like the most beautiful pirouette by [Marie] Taglioni, let us say.”
“But the Emperor’s friend covered himself with glory, for he danced everything, whether he knew it or not, and introduced impromptu pirouettes when the figures bewildered him..”
- The whirling about of a horse.
- A wooden mouthpiece assembly or lip rest used in some European double-reed instruments.
verb
Etymology: Borrowed from French pirouette, see there for more; attested since 1706.
- To perform a pirouette; to whirl on the toes, like a dancer.
“The way in which they dance; the height to which they spring; the impossible and inhuman extent to which they pirouette; […].”
“At last they paused, and a beautiful young woman sprang out of the ranks and began to pirouette in front of us with a grace and vigour which would have put most ballet girls to shame.”