/bat"meuhnt/ ; Fr. /bannteu mahonn"/ , n. , pl. battements /-meuhnts/ ; Fr. /-mahonn"/ . Ballet.
a movement in which the dancer lifts one leg to the front, side, or back, and returns it to the supporting leg.
[ 1820-30; batt ( re ) to beat (see BATE 2 ) + -ment -MENT ]