Developpe is a French term that refers to the extension of the leg in ballet. The spelling of developpe is based on the French language with a silent "e" at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for developpe is [de-vlɔ-pe], with the emphasis on the second syllable "vlo." The "v" sound is pronounced as "v" in "violet," and the "l" sound is pronounced as "l" in "love." Developpe is commonly used in ballet terminology and is a fundamental movement that requires flexibility and strength.
Developpé is a term used in ballet to describe a specific movement where a dancer smoothly extends one leg to an open position while keeping the other leg grounded. The word "developpé" is derived from the French verb "développer", meaning "to develop" or "to unfold".
In ballet, the developpé is typically performed by starting in a closed position, with one foot touching the other ankle in a position known as "coupe". From there, the working leg starts to elongate and is lifted to a certain height, creating a graceful line. The extended leg can be lifted to the front (devant), side (à la seconde), or back (derrière), depending on the specific choreography. Throughout the movement, the dancer keeps their back straight and core engaged, maintaining balance and control.
Developpé requires strength, flexibility, and body awareness, as it requires the dancer to maintain stability with the grounded leg while stretching and extending the working leg. It is often performed with precision and grace, showcasing the dancer's technical skill and control. Developpé is a common element in various ballet combinations, and it is an essential component of many classical ballet variations and choreographies.
The word "developpe" is derived from the French language. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old French verb "desveloper", which means "to unwrap" or "to unfurl". This verb is a combination of the prefix "des-" (meaning "dis-" or "un-") and the verb "veloper" (meaning "to wrap" or "to envelop"). Over time, "desveloper" evolved into "developper", and in French ballet terminology, it refers to a specific movement of stretching and unfolding the leg.