chassé

chassé

The dancer performs a chassé to the right across the stage.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A dance step: "chassé" refers to a gliding step in dancing, especially in ballet and ballroom, where one foot slides to meet the other, and the other foot then moves outward.

  2. Verb:

    • To perform a chassé: To execute this gliding step in dance.
    • To move with a gliding motion: By extension, to move in a smooth, sliding manner.
Usage Examples

  • Noun:

    • The dancer executed a perfect chassé across the stage. (A gliding step in dance.)
    • In ballet class, we practiced the chassé repeatedly. (The specific dance step.)

  • Verb:

    • She chasséd gracefully to the right. (She performed a gliding step to the right.)
    • The couple chasséd together across the ballroom floor. (They moved with gliding steps.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to chassé to the left/right": to perform the step in a specific direction.

    • The instructor asked us to chassé to the left in time with the music. (Move with a gliding step to the left.)

  • "chassé en avant" (French term used in ballet): a chassé performed forward.

    • The ballerina completed a chassé en avant before the leap. (A forward gliding step.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Chassé-croisé (n): a dance figure where dancers cross over while performing chassés.

    • The quadrille included a chassé-croisé pattern. (A crossing gliding step.)

  • Chassé step (n): a more explicit term for the dance step itself.

    • The chassé step is fundamental in many ballroom dances. (The basic gliding movement.)
Synonyms
  • Glide: to move smoothly and continuously.
  • Slide: to move along a surface while maintaining continuous contact.
Phrasal Verbs

  • Chassé through: to move through a space using chassé steps.

    • The dancers chasséd through the doorway. (They moved with gliding steps through the opening.)

  • Chassé over: to move across a surface with a chassé.

    • She chasséd over the polished floor. (She glided across the floor.)
Related Idioms

  • Chassé into action: to begin moving or acting quickly and smoothly.

    • The team chasséd into action when the project started. (They began work with smooth, coordinated effort.)

  • Chassé away: to leave or depart in a gliding manner.

    • He chasséd away from the group, disappearing into the crowd. (He moved away smoothly.)