tour jete: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized/Technical
Quick answer
What does “tour jete” mean?
A ballet jump involving a turn in the air with a split of the legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ballet jump involving a turn in the air with a split of the legs.
In broader usage, a specific and technically demanding leap or turn, often used metaphorically to describe a dramatic or acrobatic change in direction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling and pronunciation are consistent across English varieties due to its status as a French loanword.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of grace, precision, and athleticism in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “tour jete” in a Sentence
The dancer performed a tour jeté.Her tour jeté was the highlight of the variation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in dance history, criticism, and performance studies.
Everyday
Rarely used unless discussing dance.
Technical
Core terminology in ballet technique, choreography, and pedagogy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tour jete”
- Misspelling as 'tour jette', 'tour jatai', or 'tour jetay'.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'She tour jetéd across the stage').
- Pronouncing the final 'é' as a hard 'e' instead of 'ay'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively a noun in English. Dancers 'perform' or 'execute' a tour jeté.
It is pronounced like the 's' in 'pleasure' (the voiced postalveolar fricative /ʒ/).
A grand jeté is a large split leap travelling forward. A tour jeté is a grand jeté that includes a 180-degree (or more) turn in the air.
Rarely, and only metaphorically to describe a sudden, elegant, and acrobatic change in direction or strategy.
A ballet jump involving a turn in the air with a split of the legs.
Tour jete is usually specialized/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull a tour jeté (metaphorically): to make a sudden, graceful, and decisive change.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TOUR (a turn) JETÉ (thrown) - picture a dancer throwing their body into a turn.
Conceptual Metaphor
A tour jeté is a **journey through the air**, combining circular motion with linear extension.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary language of origin for 'tour jeté'?