Definition of "ballet"

ballet

/bælˈeɪ/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural ballets
1. A classical form of dance.
2. A theatrical presentation of such dancing, usually with music, sometimes in the form of a story.
3. The company of persons who perform this dance.
4. (music) A light part song, frequently with a fa-la-la chorus, common among Elizabethan and Italian Renaissance composers.
5. (heraldry, uncommon) A (small) ball i.e. roundel on a coat of arms, called a bezant, plate, etc., according to colour.
  Quotations
  9. Peter West, Ar. bears sable Ballets argent a Lyon Rampant.
  1741, Richard Izacke, Remarkable Antiquities of the City of Exeter [...] by Richard Izacke [...] Second Edition
6. (figurative) Any intricate series of operations involving coordination between individuals.
  Quotations
  Food preparation on a potager no doubt became a kitchen ballet in which pans were constantly shifted, coals constantly replenished, and grates shaken out.
  1990, Historic Preservation: Quarterly of the National Council for Historic Sites and Buildings (volumes 42-43)
  Henry Payton joined Alan on the sidelines during the conclusion of the oddly delicate ballet known as On-Scene Investigation.
  1991, Stephen King, Needful Things
verb
third-person singular simple present ballets, present participle balleting, simple past and past participle balleted
1. To perform an action reminiscent of ballet dancing.
  Quotations
  Situations that typically require longer iliac limbs than the measurements suggest include extreme iliac tortuosity, “balleting” of the limbs (Endurant and Excluder) (Fig. 90-3), and the need to extend to the external iliac arteries. It these anatomic circumstances, it is prudent to choose a longer length when in doubt.
  2014 Rutherford's Vascular Surgery E-Book - Page 1340
  Unfortunately, he could only sustain so much abuse. Footfalls approached. Kanoa's lips smacked and his jaw hung open. His eyelids fluttered, their underlying gaze balleting without clarity. He felt beyond sick, and his world spun immensely. A garbled voice of incoherency seemed to be his only link to this realm of consciousness.
  2016, Jacob Russell Dring, Endless the Chase
  Frankie's obviously going to ballet her way to the trophy.
  2017, Num Nums, “A Total Bust a Move”, in The ZhuZhus