port de bras

[ French pawr duh bra ]

noun

, Ballet.

1. (used with a singular verb) the technique of moving the arms properly.
2. (used with a plural verb) the exercises for developing this technique.

Word History and Origins

Origin of port de bras¹

1910–15; < French: carriage of arm

Example Sentences

We’d float them above our heads in port de bras.

From Literature

She was showing it to us, humming the music under her breath as she moved through the port de bras and pique turns.

From Literature

To move through the sweeping gestures of a grand port de bras, the aching lift of an arabesque.

From Literature

Not quite to second position port de bras.

From Literature

Surrounded by Nets players, Tatum stretches into the air, his arm extending toward the basket in an elegant port de bras.

From New York Times