echappe
C2 (Very low frequency; specialist/technical term)Formal, Technical (Ballet)
Definition
Meaning
A classical ballet movement where a dancer springs from both feet, opens the legs in the air, and lands on one or two feet in a different position.
It can metaphorically refer to a brief escape, evasion, or sudden change of direction. It is almost exclusively used in the context of ballet.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a direct borrowing from French (échappé). In English, it is used almost exclusively as a fixed ballet term. Its literal French meaning ('escaped') is not active in general English usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences. The term is identical in spelling and usage in both ballet lexicons. Pronunciation may follow slight national tendencies.
Connotations
Technical precision, classical dance training.
Frequency
Identically low frequency outside ballet contexts in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The dancer [verb: executed/performed] an echappe [preposition: to/into] second position.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No general English idioms. The term itself is a technical idiom.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in dance history, theory, or criticism texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only among those with ballet knowledge.
Technical
Core term in ballet pedagogy and choreography notes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She will echappe to second position cleanly.
American English
- Echappe from fifth, then hold the landing.
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The echappe movement requires strong ankles.
American English
- Her echappe sequence was flawless.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Not applicable for A2 level]
- [Not applicable for B1 level]
- The beginner ballet class learned a simple echappe.
- Her technical precision was evident in the crisp execution of each echappe and changement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dancer 'escaping' (échappé) from a closed fifth position by jumping open to second position.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS ESCAPE (The legs 'escape' from a closed position to an open one).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian ballet term 'pas échappé'. It is the same term but may be pronounced with Russian accent. Do not translate it as 'побег' (escape) in a ballet context; it is a borrowed term.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'echape', 'eshappe', 'escape'. Pronunciation: /ɪˈtʃæp/ or /ˈɛk.eɪp/. Using it as a general verb meaning 'to escape'.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'echappe' primarily used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term from ballet. Using it in general conversation would be confusing unless discussing dance.
It is pronounced approximately ay-SHAP-ay, with the stress varying slightly between British (/eɪˈʃæp.eɪ/) and American (/ˌeɪ.ʃæˈpeɪ/) English.
No. While it derives from the French verb 'échapper' (to escape), in English it has lost that general meaning and refers only to the specific ballet step.
The two main types are 'échappé sauté' (jumped) and 'échappé sur les pointes/ demi-pointes' (springing onto the toes or ball of the foot).