sissonne: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “sissonne” mean?
A ballet jump from two feet to one foot.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ballet jump from two feet to one foot.
In ballet, a jump where the dancer springs from both feet, lands on one foot, and extends the other leg to the front, side, or back. It is a fundamental traveling step.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation may vary slightly.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both ballet traditions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency outside of dance contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “sissonne” in a Sentence
[dancer] + sissonne + [direction/adjective] (e.g., She sissonned forward elegantly.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sissonne” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dancer will sissonne diagonally across the stage.
- She sissonned into an arabesque.
American English
- He sissonned to the left with great precision.
- The choreography asks you to sissonne, then turn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in papers or texts concerning dance history, theory, or pedagogy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in ballet class, choreography notes, and dance criticism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sissonne”
- Mispronouncing it as 'si-SOHN-ee' or 'SIS-own'.
- Using it as a general term for any leap in dance.
- Misspelling as 'cissonne' or 'sisonne'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly technical term specific to classical ballet and related dance forms.
Yes, in dance contexts, it is common to use it as a verb (e.g., 'to sissonne across the stage').
A sissonne starts from two feet and lands on one. A grand jeté typically starts from one foot, is a leap, and lands on the other foot.
It is believed to be derived from the name of a 17th-century French ballet master or dancer, though the exact origin is debated among dance historians.
A ballet jump from two feet to one foot.
Sissonne is usually technical/formal in register.
Sissonne: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈsɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪˈsɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SISSONNE sounds like 'see-sawn' – imagine a dancer's legs opening and closing like a saw's motion during the jump.
Conceptual Metaphor
A sissonne is a controlled explosion; potential energy in the plié transforms into the kinetic energy of flight.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'sissonne' primarily?