pirouette
UK: ˌpɪr.uˈet | US: ˌpɪr.uˈet
n. a rapid whirling or spinning motion, especially in ballet dancing
vi. to perform a pirouette
The word "pirouette" comes from French, where it originally referred to a spinning top or whirl. The morpheme "pirou" derives from Old French "pirouer" (to whirl), likely of Germanic origin, related to spinning motion. The suffix "-ette" is a diminutive in French, often indicating a smaller or refined version of something. In ballet, the term evolved to describe a precise, controlled spin on one foot, reflecting both the motion and the elegance of the movement.
The ballerina executed a flawless pirouette during her solo.
He practiced his pirouettes for hours to perfect his technique.
A series of rapid pirouettes concluded her stunning performance.
The dancer lost her balance mid-pirouette but recovered gracefully.
Pirouettes require strong core muscles and precise foot placement.