Ballerine

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A female ballet dancer whose performance often emphasizes grace and precision in movement
2. An artist trained in ballet dancing, particularly one who plays a prominent role in performances
3. A skilled performer in classical ballet, noted for her poise and dedication to the art form

Etymology: "Ballerine" is the French plural of "ballerina" and is used in English only when writing about a group of female dancers in French contexts or in the French form. The singular it comes from, "ballerina," is an Italian word meaning a female dancer, formed from "ballare," to dance, with the feminine suffix "-ina." The same root gives English "ballet," which was itself borrowed from French, which in turn took it from Italian "balletto," a little dance.

Synonyms: female dancer, prima ballerina