Dégagé is translated as which English word?

Dégagé is translated as which English word?

• A. Release
• B. Unfold
• C. Disengage
• D. Withdraw

Answer: (C)

In this ballet term, dégagé refers to a small, brisk brush of the foot off the floor, where the foot disengages from contact with the floor while staying pointed and turned out. That sense of “getting off the floor” is exactly what the English term disengage communicates, making it the best translation. It’s more precise than the other options, which don’t describe the specific action of lifting the foot off the floor in a clean, pointed brush. In practice, you’re using a quick, controlled brush to about 45 degrees (front, side, or back) to build a clean line and prepare for larger movements like battement.

In this ballet term, dégagé refers to a small, brisk brush of the foot off the floor, where the foot disengages from contact with the floor while staying pointed and turned out. That sense of “getting off the floor” is exactly what the English term disengage communicates, making it the best translation. It’s more precise than the other options, which don’t describe the specific action of lifting the foot off the floor in a clean, pointed brush. In practice, you’re using a quick, controlled brush to about 45 degrees (front, side, or back) to build a clean line and prepare for larger movements like battement.