chasse
Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- v. In dancing, to execute a step or gliding motion (known as the chasse) in which one foot is kept in advance of the other.
- v. To move or make one's way with gliding steps, as across a crowded room: as, before long he chassed up to me.
- v. To cause to chasse toward the door; dismiss.
- n. In dancing, a step or gliding motion in which one foot is kept in advance of the other.
This word comes from the French, ‘chasser,’ to chase, hunt. ‘Sashay,’ to strut or flounce in a showy manner, is an alteration of ‘chasse.’
Examples
“The chasse is the side step, the easiest step in the fox trot and the basis of the old-fashioned two step.”
Arthur Murray, ‘Chasse, Basis of Two-Step, Is Easy One,’ The Toledo News-Bee, December 29, 1932
“When Katrina Baker, Renee Belise and Gabrielle Russell - three local children who will perform in 'The Nutcracker' ballet - chasse across the stage at Lewiston Junior High School on Saturday, it will be the first time they have danced with world-famous ballet stars.”
'Twenty local youths to dance in 'Nutcracker,'' Sun Journal, December 14, 1993
“Virginia Beach native CJ Tyson came within a chassé of being part of [the top 20 dancers of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’], but was cut at the final callback.”
