Ballons

/bəˈloʊnz/ noun

Definition

Plural of ballon; a ballet technique that makes movements look light, bouncy, and effortless, as if the dancer is floating.

Etymology

From French 'ballon' (balloon), adopted into ballet vocabulary in the 1700s to describe the quality of appearing weightless during jumps and movements.

Kelly Says

When ballet dancers seem to hang in the air longer than physics allows, they're using 'ballon'—it's the technical term for what makes the greatest performers look like they're dancing on clouds.

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