pirouette
[ pir-oo-et ]
/ ˌpɪr uˈɛt /
noun
a whirling about on one foot or on the points of the toes, as in ballet dancing.
Dressage.
a complete turn in which the horse uses its hind legs as a pivot.
verb (used without object), pir·ou·et·ted, pir·ou·et·ting.
to perform a pirouette; whirl, as on the toes.
Origin of pirouette
1700–10; < French: a whirl, top, feminine of Middle French
pirouet, equivalent to
pirou- (cognate with Italian
pirolo, diminutive of
piro peg) +
-et
-et
Words nearby pirouette
pirogue,
piroplasm,
piroplasma,
piroplasmosis,
piroshki,
pirouette,
piroxicam,
piroxicam olamine,
pirozhki,
pis aller,
pisa
Example sentences from the Web for pirouette
British Dictionary definitions for pirouette
pirouette
/ (ˌpɪrʊˈɛt) /
noun
a body spin, esp in dancing, on the toes or the ball of the foot
verb
(intr)
to perform a pirouette
Word Origin for pirouette
C18: from French, from Old French
pirouet spinning top; related to Italian
pirolo little peg