Glissade

A glissade is a gliding or sliding movement in ballet, ice skating, or mountaineering. In ballet, it involves a graceful transition between steps, moving smoothly from one foot to the other. In ice skating, it refers to a gliding motion across the ice, often incorporating edges. For mountaineers, a glissade is a controlled slide down a snowy slope using an ice axe for balance and braking. The essence of a glissade lies in its smooth, controlled, and often effortless appearance, covering ground quickly and efficiently.

Glissade meaning with examples

• The ballerina executed a perfect glissade, her feet barely leaving the floor as she moved effortlessly across the stage. Her movements were light and airy, seemingly floating through the air as she linked the two separate sets of steps together with great grace and elegance, demonstrating a fluid style.
• The experienced ice skater demonstrated a beautiful glissade, carving elegant arcs across the rink. She effortlessly shifted her weight, creating the sensation of gliding rather than skating. The crowd watched in amazement, the skill and control she displayed a testament to years of practice and a masterful technique.
• The mountaineer chose to glissade down a gentle slope, using his ice axe to control his descent and slow his speed. The tactic proved effective for covering significant ground without undue effort, making for a safe and swift descent. It was a quick and effective way to get off of the mountain.
• With a combination of graceful movement and deliberate control, the figure skater used a glissade to swiftly traverse the ice. The transitions were clean and the motions were efficient, a hallmark of the skater's refined technique and years of training. This maneuver allowed for a smooth flow throughout the routine.