glissade

[ gli-sahd, -seyd ]

noun

1. a skillful glide over snow or ice in descending a mountain, as on skis or a toboggan.
2. Dance. a sliding or gliding step.

verb (used without object)

, glis·sad·ed, glis·sad·ing.

1. to perform a glissade.

glissade

/ -ˈseɪd; ɡlɪˈsɑːd /

noun

1. a gliding step in ballet, in which one foot slides forwards, sideways, or backwards
2. a controlled slide down a snow slope

verb

1. intr to perform a glissade

Derived Forms

• glisˈsader, noun

Other Words From

• glis·sader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glissade¹

1830–40; < French, equivalent to gliss ( er ) to slip, slide + -ade -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of glissade¹

C19: from French, from glisser to slip, from Old French glicier, of Frankish origin; compare Old High German glītan to glide

Example Sentences

In Switzerland he had studied the glissade, but when one carries a heavy load to balance on a precipitous slope is difficult.

From Project Gutenberg

To shorten the return journey I was tempted to glissade down what appeared to be a snow-filled ravine, which was very steep.

From Project Gutenberg

The remaining steep slopes were also descended by glissade, and we afterwards marched cheerily over the gentler inclines.

From Project Gutenberg

By means of ropes attached to these I proposed to scour the mountain along the line of the glissade.

From Project Gutenberg

The glissade lasted but a moment, nevertheless it recalled to his mind a picture which was indelibly stamped in his memory.

From Project Gutenberg