Whirling; a generalized term used in ballet to describe a
turn; in the Russian method they usually refer to turns as tours.
["spin"]. A complete turn on one leg. The dancer usually goes round more than
once. The raised leg is most commonly held in rétiré, but pirouettes with the
leg in other positions are not uncommon. If the direction of the turn rotates
the raised leg away from the front of the body, the pirouette is en dehors; if
it rotates the leg toward the front, it is en dedans. The dancer spots (see
"spotting") in order to avoid becoming disoriented. Pirouettes are usually fast,
but supported pirouettes, in which a partner steadies the soloist, may be done
very slowly.
