releve: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalFormal / Technical (primarily in dance)
Quick answer
What does “releve” mean?
In ballet, a movement where the dancer rises onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or to full pointe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In ballet, a movement where the dancer rises onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or to full pointe.
Can be used more broadly, though uncommonly, to describe the action of raising or lifting something, often in an elevated or refined context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally technical and specific to ballet in both regions.
Connotations
Conveys precision, grace, and technical skill associated with classical dance.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; its use is confined to dance studios, critiques, and related texts.
Grammar
How to Use “releve” in a Sentence
[Dancer] + releve + [on (left/right) foot][Instructor] + commands + releveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “releve” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer will releve onto demi-pointe in the fourth position.
- You must releve smoothly, without a wobble.
American English
- Releve on your right foot as you extend the left leg to the side.
- The choreography requires you to releve here.
adverb
British English
- The sequence is performed releve. (Rare)
- Move releve across the floor. (Rare)
American English
- She traveled releve. (Rare)
- Spin releve. (Rare)
adjective
British English
- The releve position was held impeccably.
- She demonstrated a perfect releve arabesque.
American English
- Maintain a releve posture throughout the sequence.
- His releve alignment needs more ankle strength.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used within dance history, theory, and criticism papers.
Everyday
Only used by those studying or practicing ballet.
Technical
Core term in ballet pedagogy and choreography notation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “releve”
- Misspelling as 'relieve' (to alleviate).
- Misspelling as 'revelée' (revealed).
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable only (/ˈriːliːv/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a French loanword used in English, but its use is almost entirely confined to the technical vocabulary of ballet.
'Demi-pointe' describes the position (on the ball of the foot). 'Releve' is the action of rising into that position.
The final 'e' is pronounced. British: /ˈrɛl.ə.veɪ/, American: /ˌrɛl.əˈveɪ/. It is not pronounced like 'relieve'.
It would likely cause confusion. In general contexts, use more common words like 'rise', 'lift', or 'elevate' instead.
In ballet, a movement where the dancer rises onto the balls of the feet (demi-pointe) or to full pointe.
Releve is usually formal / technical (primarily in dance) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-LEV-Evate → to ELeVate yourself again (re-) onto your toes.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELEVATION IS ACHIEVEMENT / PRECISION IS BALANCE
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'releve' primarily used?