battement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low / Very specialisedTechnical / Artistic
Quick answer
What does “battement” mean?
A beating movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A beating movement; in ballet, a movement of the leg away from and back to the supporting leg.
Primarily a technical term in ballet and fencing. In ballet, it describes a controlled leg movement used at the barre and in centre practice, essential for building strength and technique. In historical fencing, it refers to a beating action against the opponent's blade.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in ballet and fencing communities in both regions.
Connotations
Conveys precision, tradition, and technical expertise. Associated strongly with classical dance training.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “battement” in a Sentence
perform/execute a [battement type]practise [battement type]sthe [battement type] was cleanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “battement” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer will battement her leg to the front.
- He was battementing with great speed.
American English
- She battements her leg to the side during the exercise.
- Focus on battementing correctly.
adverb
British English
- She moved battement-like across the floor.
American English
- He executed the move battement-style.
adjective
British English
- The battement sequence was flawless.
- Her battement quality improved.
American English
- The battement exercise is fundamental.
- He has strong battement technique.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in dance history, theory, and pedagogy papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used by those with dance/fencing background.
Technical
Core terminology in ballet class (e.g., 'battement glissé') and historical European martial arts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “battement”
- Pronouncing the final '-t' (it is silent).
- Using it as a general term for 'beating'.
- Misspelling as 'batement'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised loanword used almost exclusively in ballet and historical fencing contexts.
In the authentic French pronunciation used in ballet, the final 't' is silent. The American pronunciation sometimes adds a faint /t/ sound.
'Grand battement' is a large, high kick, while 'petit battement' is a small, quick beating movement of the lower leg, usually with the foot pointed at the ankle of the supporting leg.
Rarely and informally within dance studios (e.g., 'battement your leg'), but it is not standard. The noun form is overwhelmingly preferred.
A beating movement.
Battement is usually technical / artistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BATTLE + MOVEMENT. In a ballet 'battle' for technique, you perform a BATTEMENT.
Conceptual Metaphor
TECHNIQUE IS PRECISION (The controlled, precise beating of the leg represents disciplined artistry).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'battement' LEAST likely to be used?