In ballet terminology, what does Demi mean?

In ballet terminology, what does Demi mean?

• A. Half
• B. Full
• C. Beginning
• D. Quarter

Answer: (A)

Demi means half. It’s the French prefix used in ballet to show you’re doing something to half its full extent. For example, demi-plié means you bend the knees only halfway, not to a full deep bend. Similarly, demi-pointe means you rise onto the ball of the foot rather than going fully onto pointe. This is the opposite of terms like grand, which indicate a full or large version of the movement, and it isn’t describing something like the beginning or a quarter amount.

Demi means half. It’s the French prefix used in ballet to show you’re doing something to half its full extent. For example, demi-plié means you bend the knees only halfway, not to a full deep bend. Similarly, demi-pointe means you rise onto the ball of the foot rather than going fully onto pointe. This is the opposite of terms like grand, which indicate a full or large version of the movement, and it isn’t describing something like the beginning or a quarter amount.