corps de ballet

American  

[kawr duh ba-ley, bal-ey, kawr duh ba-le] / ˌkɔr də bæˈleɪ, ˈbæl eɪ, kɔr də baˈlɛ /

noun

1. the dancers in a ballet company who perform as a group and have no solo parts.

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corps de ballet British  

/ ˈkɔː də ˈbæleɪ, kɔr də balɛ /

noun

1. the members of a ballet company who dance together in a group

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Etymology

Origin of corps de ballet

From French, dating back to 1820–30; corps, ballet

Example Sentences

“We have no openings in the corps de ballet, mademoiselle. Or among the principal dancers either, unless you are a prima ballerina assoluta, which, no offense, I think you are not.”

From Literature

Shklyarov knew he thrived as a solo dancer, noting in interviews that he had struggled to adjust and follow lines in corps de ballet roles.

From Los Angeles Times

The corps de ballet is another anchor as couples move in unison turns, dip their torsos forward or take steps on their heels.

From New York Times

And, while the corps de ballet pirouettes and leaps across the stage, Tim breaks his magician’s code and tells me exactly how the trick is done.

From Literature

One of the many wonderful aspects of “Secret Things” is how its eight dancers, mostly from the corps de ballet, emerge as distinctive personalities without being presentational.

From New York Times