Battement

In ballet, battement (French pronunciation: ​[batmɑ̃]) is an alternating side-to-side movement of the working (non-supporting) leg. Battements are typically performed in multiples, quickly and in rapid succession so that the working foot appears to be fluttering or vibrating. They are usually executed in front (en avant or à la quatrieme devant), to the side (à la seconde) or in back (en arrière or à la quatrieme derrière). The word battement is of French origin, meaning "beat".