coryphée

[ kawr-uh-fey, kor-; French kaw-ree-fey ]

noun

, plural cor·y·phées [kawr-, uh, -, feyz, kor-, kaw-, r, ee-, fey].

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

coryphée

/ ˌkɒrɪˈfeɪ /

noun

1. a leading dancer of a corps de ballet

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphée¹

1820–30; < French < Latin coryphaeus coryphaeus

Word History and Origins

Origin of coryphée¹

C19: from French, from Latin coryphaeus coryphaeus

Example Sentences

A jug held tightly in both hands, he chooses his steps as would a dainty Coryphee.

From Project Gutenberg

That girl might be anything—Queen of Spain, or coryphee in the opera ballet.

From Project Gutenberg

She is now, I am told, a coryphee in one of the public dancing halls.

From Project Gutenberg

A coryphee is testing her pretty little toes in Sir Hubert's skiff.

From Project Gutenberg