coryphée

[ kawr-uh-fey, kor-; French kaw-ree-fey ]

noun

, plural cor·y·phées [kawr-, uh, -, feyz, kor-, kaw-, r, ee-, fey].

1. a member of a ballet company who dances usually as part of a small group and who ranks below the soloists.

coryphée

/ ˌkɒrɪˈfeɪ /

noun

1. a leading dancer of a corps de ballet

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphée¹

1820–30; < French < Latin coryphaeus coryphaeus

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphée¹

C19: from French, from Latin coryphaeus coryphaeus

Example Sentences

In his boyhood he was sent to the Jesuit school of Louis le Grand, where the perversity of his character manifested itself to such an extent that one of his teachers prophesied that he would one day become the coryphee of deism.

From Project Gutenberg

So it happens that not long after Mrs. Webb Johnston has summoned a few select spirits to sup and witness Miss Almira Wing, a visiting coryphée, do a skirt dance, Mrs. Sherman issues notes of invitation to what is mysteriously specified as 'An Eclipse Smoke Talk.'

From Project Gutenberg

She is now, I am told, a coryphee in one of the public dancing halls.

From Project Gutenberg

Country-bred as she was, she waltzed like a coryphée.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Wynne was only a humble coryphée, but the admirers of her talent were numerous, and Leonard counted himself fortunate in that she was able to afford him the privilege of her society to-night.

From Project Gutenberg