coryphée

American  

[kawr-uh-fey, kor-, kaw-ree-fey] / ˌkɔr əˈfeɪ, ˌkɒr-, kɔ riˈfeɪ /

noun

plural

coryphées

1. a member of a ballet company who dances usually as part of a small group and who ranks below the soloists.

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coryphée British  

/ ˌkɒrɪˈfeɪ /

noun

1. a leading dancer of a corps de ballet

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Etymology

Origin of coryphée

1820–30; < French < Latin coryphaeus coryphaeus

Example Sentences

So it happens that not long after Mrs. Webb Johnston has summoned a few select spirits to sup and witness Miss Almira Wing, a visiting coryphée, do a skirt dance, Mrs. Sherman issues notes of invitation to what is mysteriously specified as 'An Eclipse Smoke Talk.'

From Project Gutenberg

Country-bred as she was, she waltzed like a coryphée.

From Project Gutenberg

It would fill the tent in old Noo York, but it’s n. g. in this here country, where everybody’s either a coryphee or a clown or a pantaloon!

From Project Gutenberg

A coryphée, pretty and loyal, In amber and red, The ballet she led; Her mother performed at the Royal, Lenore at the Saracen's Head.

From Project Gutenberg

These include "L'Amazone," "Pirouette," "Un Pas Seul," "La Coryphée," "The Odalisque," and "The Magyar."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• dancer