Which term translates to 'to the fourth behind'?

Which term translates to 'to the fourth behind'?

• A. À la Quatrième derrière
• B. À la Seconde
• C. Dessus
• D. Dessous

Answer: (A)

In Cecchetti ballet vocabulary, foot positions are described by French terms that tell exactly where the working foot sits relative to the supporting leg. The word quatrième refers to the fourth position of the feet, and derrière means behind the body. So the phrase à la quatrième derrière literally describes placing the working foot in the fourth position behind. This is the precise way to say “to the fourth behind.” The other terms describe different ideas. À la seconde means the foot is in the second position (to the side), not behind. Dessus and dessous relate to over and under or over/under directions in movements, not to the specific placement of the foot behind the body.

In Cecchetti ballet vocabulary, foot positions are described by French terms that tell exactly where the working foot sits relative to the supporting leg. The word quatrième refers to the fourth position of the feet, and derrière means behind the body. So the phrase à la quatrième derrière literally describes placing the working foot in the fourth position behind. This is the precise way to say “to the fourth behind.”

The other terms describe different ideas. À la seconde means the foot is in the second position (to the side), not behind. Dessus and dessous relate to over and under or over/under directions in movements, not to the specific placement of the foot behind the body.