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

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