The ornamental steps constitute the fundamental vocabulary of the courtly art of dance. They serve for the elegant and flowing embellishment of solo passages, being distinguished in the 18th century by precise footwork, bending (Plié), and rising (Élevé).

The embellishment with ornamental steps increases exceedingly from circa 1760 onwards. I venture to surmise, however, that there simply prevailed a far greater liberty to incorporate the virtuosic steps of the ballets.

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