1
Stage 1 of 4
pir-
Gallo-Roman · medieval
"a peg, plug"
a root meaning peg or plug
2
Stage 2 of 4
piruolo
Italian · medieval
"a spinning top"
named a spinning peg top, a child's toy
3
Stage 3 of 4
pirouette
French · 1400s
"a spinning top; a whirling turn"
borrowed and given a diminutive ending, literally 'little peg', for the spinning toy and later a dancer's spin
4
Stage 4 of 4
pirouette
English · 1706
"a rapid spin on one foot, especially in ballet"
adopted for a rapid balletic turn on one leg
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