Enchainement

/ɪnˈtʃeɪnmənt/ noun

Definition

In dance (particularly ballet), a flowing sequence of movements linked together smoothly without pause.

Etymology

From French enchaînement (linking, chaining together), derived from enchainer (to chain together). This French ballet term was adopted into English in the 19th century to describe the connected flow of dance movements.

Kelly Says

Ballet borrowed this word directly from French because the French invented the vocabulary for ballet itself—'enchainement' captures something English words can't quite say: movements that are literally chained together so seamlessly that they become one continuous line.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.