What is the meaning of demi?

What is the meaning of demi?

• A. Half
• B. Bent
• C. Thrown
• D. Carriage of the Arms

Answer: (A)

Demi means half. In ballet terms, demi indicates a partial or halfway extent of a movement, so you perform it to a midway degree rather than fully. This is why you see phrases like demi-plié (a half bend of the knees) or en demi-pointe (standing on the balls of the feet, not fully on pointe). The other ideas describe different concepts: being bent would be signaled by a specific plié, thrown relates to a jeté or throwing action, and carriage of the arms is described by port de bras. So the best fit for the meaning of demi is half.

Demi means half. In ballet terms, demi indicates a partial or halfway extent of a movement, so you perform it to a midway degree rather than fully. This is why you see phrases like demi-plié (a half bend of the knees) or en demi-pointe (standing on the balls of the feet, not fully on pointe). The other ideas describe different concepts: being bent would be signaled by a specific plié, thrown relates to a jeté or throwing action, and carriage of the arms is described by port de bras. So the best fit for the meaning of demi is half.