ballet

Etymology

Borrowed from French ballet, from Italian balletto (“short dance, ballet”), diminutive form of ballo (“ball”), from Late Latin ballō (“to dance”).

noun

1. A classical form of dance.
   a classically-trained ballet dancer
2. A theatrical presentation of such dancing, usually with music, sometimes in the form of a story.
   Let's go to the ballet in the theatre tomorrow!
3. The company of persons who perform this dance.
   Zara joined the ballet at the age of 14.
4. (music) A light part song, frequently with a fa-la-la chorus, common among Elizabethan and Italian Renaissance composers.
5. (heraldry, uncommon) A (small) ball i.e. roundel on a coat of arms, called a bezant, plate, etc., according to colour.
   9. Peter West, Ar. bears sable Ballets argent a Lyon Rampant. 1741, Richard Izacke, Remarkable Antiquities of the City of Exeter … by Richard Izacke … Second Edition
6. (figurative) Any intricate series of operations involving coordination between individuals.
   Food preparation on a potager no doubt became a kitchen ballet in which pans were constantly shifted, coals constantly replenished, and grates shaken out. 1990, Historic Preservation: Quarterly of the National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings (volumes 42-43)
   Henry Payton joined Alan on the sidelines during the conclusion of the oddly delicate ballet known as On-Scene Investigation. 1991, Stephen King, Needful Things

verb

1. To perform an action reminiscent of ballet dancing.
   Situations that typically require longer iliac limbs than the measurements suggest include extreme iliac tortuosity, “balleting” of the limbs (Endurant and Excluder) (Fig. 90-3), and the need to extend to the external iliac arteries. It these anatomic circumstances, it is prudent to choose a longer length when in doubt. 2014 Rutherford's Vascular Surgery E-Book - Page 1340
   Unfortunately, he could only sustain so much abuse. Footfalls approached. Kanoa's lips smacked and his jaw hung open. His eyelids fluttered, their underlying gaze balleting without clarity. He felt beyond sick, and his world spun immensely. A garbled voice of incoherency seemed to be his only link to this realm of consciousness. 2016, Jacob Russell Dring, Endless the Chase
   Frankie's obviously going to ballet her way to the trophy. 2017, Num Nums, “A Total Bust a Move”, in The ZhuZhus