What does the ballet term fondu mean?

What does the ballet term fondu mean?

• A. Below
• B. Above
• C. Melted
• D. Backwards

Answer: (C)

Fondu literally means melt, and in ballet it describes the action of sinking down smoothly as if the body is melting into a plié. The emphasis is on a controlled lowering: the knees bend and the dancer lets the weight soften into the floor while the leg moves through its path, keeping turnout and alignment. This melted, downward feeling is what gives fondu its distinctive sense, rather than any upward, downward in a literal directional sense, or a backward movement. That’s why melted is the best choice.

Fondu literally means melt, and in ballet it describes the action of sinking down smoothly as if the body is melting into a plié. The emphasis is on a controlled lowering: the knees bend and the dancer lets the weight soften into the floor while the leg moves through its path, keeping turnout and alignment. This melted, downward feeling is what gives fondu its distinctive sense, rather than any upward, downward in a literal directional sense, or a backward movement. That’s why melted is the best choice.