abaissés

Abaissés is a ballet term derived from the French abaissé, meaning lowered. It designates movements or positions in which a part of the dancer’s body is lowered from a raised level to a lower one, while keeping turnout, alignment, and control. In practice, abaissés may refer to both the arms and the legs when they are brought down to a lower level as part of a sequence or transition.

Examples of use include:

- bras abaissés, where the arms are lowered to a natural position along the body with relaxed shoulders.

- abaissés of the leg, describing the lowering of a raised leg toward a lower line, often through a controlled plié or through a smooth descent that preserves leg extension and line.

The term appears in classical pedagogy and repertoire to mark a deliberate lowering gesture, contributing to the dancer’s line, balance, and musical phrasing. The plural abaissés can refer to multiple such movements within a phrase or passage.

Etymology and usage notes:

- Etymology: from French abaissé, past participle of abaisser, to lower.

- In English-language ballet terminology, abaissé is typically translated as “lowered” or described as a lowering action within a movement.

See also:

- ballet terms related to body positions and transitions

- arm positions in ballet (bras bas, bras abaissés)

- plié and its role in controlled lowering

- retiré and other raised-leg positions used in abaissés discussions