Retiré

Retiré is a French term formed from the verb retirer, meaning to withdraw, pull back, or remove. As an adjective, it describes something that has been withdrawn, removed, or set aside. In French grammar, the usual forms are retiré (masculine), retirée (feminine), retirés (masculine plural), and retirées (feminine plural). In English-language texts, retiré is typically encountered as a loanword in specialized domains rather than in ordinary usage.

Etymology and usage: The word comes from the prefix re- (again, back) combined with tirer (to pull). Its meaning shades through withdrawal, retreat, or retirement in different contexts. In everyday French, one can encounter phrases like une personne retirée (a withdrawn person) or une période retirée in historical documents, though more common alternatives exist for everyday speech.

Ballet usage: In classical ballet, retiré denotes a specific position of the working leg. The leg is raised with the knee bent and the foot located near the knee of the supporting leg, the thigh turned out, creating a high, rounded line. The position can be described as retiré devant (in front) or retiré derrière (behind), depending on the orientation of the leg. Retiré is a foundational element used in many steps and combinations, contributing to lines, balance, and dynamic expression.

Other contexts: Outside of dance, retiré can appear in linguistic or historical references as an adjective meaning withdrawn or retired in a descriptive sense. The term is less common in contemporary everyday language, where synonyms such as retraité (retired person) or retiré in its adjectival sense are typically preferred.