entrechat

[ French ahn-truh-sha ]

noun

, Ballet.

, plural en·tre·chats [ah, n, -t, r, uh, -, sha].

1. a jump in which the dancer crosses the feet a number of times while in the air.

entrechat

/ ɑ̃trəʃa /

noun

1. a leap in ballet during which the dancer repeatedly crosses his feet or beats them together

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrechat¹

1765–75; < French, alteration of Italian ( capriola ) intrecciata intwined (caper), equivalent to in- in- ² + trecci- tress + -ata -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of entrechat¹

C18: from French, from earlier entrechase, changed by folk etymology from Italian ( capriola ) intrecciata, literally: entwined (caper), from intrecciare to interlace, from in- ² + treccia tress

Example Sentences

“But I still look at a ballet like ‘Swan Lake’ or ‘Giselle,’ and I’m like, I have to do 24 entrechat sixes,” he said, referring to a virtuosic jump with rapid, crisscrossing feet.

From New York Times

“He wanted us to go down into a grand plié,” a deep bend in the legs, “and then up into the air into an entrechat six,” a jump in which the feet crisscross in the air, “all without ever putting our heels down.”

From New York Times

The something in particular — a leap, a pirouette, an entrechat? — was a puzzler.

From New York Times

Mounseer takes out his kit; the scene begins; Miss trusses up; my lady Mother grins;— "Ma'amselle, me teach a you de step to tread; First turn you toe, den turn you littel head; One, two, dree, sinka, risa, balance; bon, Now entrechat, and now de cotillon."

From Project Gutenberg

She also banned certain steps – the pas de basque and the entrechat – on the grounds that they were "anti-revolutionary".

From The Guardian