Écarté corresponds to which translation?

Écarté corresponds to which translation?

• A. Spread or thrown apart
• B. To the second
• C. Crossed behind
• D. Cut

Answer: (A)

Écarté describes a position where the legs are opened wide to the side, separated from one another. In ballet French terms, this literally means spread apart, which is exactly what the translation “spread or thrown apart” conveys. That lateral, outward extension is the key idea behind écarté and is why that option fits best. The other phrases refer to different ideas: “to the second” points to the second position of the feet (à la seconde), not the action of spreading the legs. “Crossed behind” describes a crossing of the legs in a specific behind-the-body line, which is not what écarté denotes. “Cut” isn’t a term used to describe a leg position in this context.

Écarté describes a position where the legs are opened wide to the side, separated from one another. In ballet French terms, this literally means spread apart, which is exactly what the translation “spread or thrown apart” conveys. That lateral, outward extension is the key idea behind écarté and is why that option fits best.

The other phrases refer to different ideas: “to the second” points to the second position of the feet (à la seconde), not the action of spreading the legs. “Crossed behind” describes a crossing of the legs in a specific behind-the-body line, which is not what écarté denotes. “Cut” isn’t a term used to describe a leg position in this context.