chassé

American  

[sha-sey, sa-shey] / ʃæˈseɪ, sæˈʃeɪ /

noun

1. a gliding step in which one foot is kept in advance of the other.

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verb (used without object)

chasséd, chasséing

1. to execute a chassé.

chassé British  

/ ˈʃæseɪ /

noun

1. one of a series of gliding steps in ballet in which the same foot always leads

2. three consecutive dance steps, two fast and one slow, to four beats of music

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verb

1. (intr) to perform either of these steps

Etymology

Origin of chassé

1795–1805; < French: literally, chased, followed, past participle of chasser to chase ¹

Example Sentences

Except it ended up being more of a chassé to the side.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2018

During the 90-minute class, instructor Jessica Jaye Mackinson taught us to chassé, sauté, ronde de jambe and grand battement, a fancy French word for a three-sided kick.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2017

But I can’t help feeling that something important had been sacrificed in the process; that this isn’t necessarily a giant leap forward, but a kind of chassé to the side.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2016

This time I mean those tough, growly guys who wouldn’t know a chassé step unless it kicked ’em right in the kisser.

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2013

After the mad whirl of a chassé, instead of a ladies' chain I have been accustomed to, we came to an end.

From The Reflections of Ambrosine A Novel by Glyn, Elinor