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pirouette

pirouette

noun pee-roo-ET Rare

Also means

evasive dodge

Usage Note

Pirouette denotes a spinning turn on one foot in dance or gymnastics, but in everyday speech it also describes a clever verbal sidestep — répondre par une pirouette means to dodge a question with a witty or evasive reply. The word entered English directly from French.

Examples

"La danseuse a exécuté une pirouette parfaite."

Natural Translation

The dancer performed a perfect pirouette.

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