Ballett

/bæˈlɛt/ noun

Definition

An archaic or variant spelling of 'ballet,' or a historical term for a type of dance composition from Renaissance Italy.

Etymology

An older English spelling of 'ballet' that reflects the historical pronunciation and the word's journey from Italian and French. Some modern usage refers to specific Renaissance dance forms called 'balletti.'

Kelly Says

Old spellings like 'ballett' show us how English was still adopting and adapting the word 'ballet' centuries ago—you can see the double 't' trying to show how it was pronounced!

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