Which term refers to brushing the foot off the floor to a small height with pointed toe?

• A. Dégagé
• B. Tendu
• C. Frappé
• D. Grand battement

Answer: (A)

In Cecchetti technique, a small brush of the foot off the floor with a pointed toe is called dégagé. It’s a light, controlled movement where the foot leaves the floor only a few centimeters while staying fully pointed, the leg remains straight, and the movement comes from the ankle. This helps train turnout, control, and precision for preparing the foot’s position.

Tendu, by contrast, moves the foot along the floor and never leaves contact with the floor, ending in a fully extended position with the foot still on the ground. Frappé is a quicker, sharper brush that often involves a striking action, giving a more pronounced beat. Grand battement is a large, powerful lifting of the leg to a high height and is much more expansive than a degagé.

So the term for brushing the foot off the floor to a small height with a pointed toe is dégagé.