demi-plié

American  

[dem-ee-plee-ey, duh-mee-plee-ey] / ˌdɛm i pliˈeɪ, də mi pliˈeɪ /

noun

Ballet.

demi-pliés plural

1. a movement done in any of the five positions, in which the dancer bends the knees halfway, keeping the heels securely on the ground.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• demi-pliés
  plural

Etymology

Origin of demi-plié

< French: literally, half-plié; see demi-, plié ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

demi-plié demi-pliés

With this, he assumed the “first” position and did a demi-plié, the most basic movement there is in ballet.

From Slate ● Oct. 25, 2018

Perhaps he could pass a few of his secrets to Berlanga, who is a potential danseur noble with everything going for him except a convincing demi-plié.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 23, 2012

It was hard not to follow the intriguing perambulations of the man in red trousers, or a child doing demi-pliés rather nicely.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 16, 2011