pointe
UK[pwæ̃t]US[pwɑːnt]
n
the tip of the toe.
n
a ballet position or dance performed on the tips of the toes.
Etymology
the word 'pointe' entered english in the early 19th century directly from french, specifically from the vocabulary of ballet. the french 'pointe' itself derives from the vulgar latin 'puncta', a noun form from the past participle of the latin verb 'pungere', meaning "to prick or pierce." this latin root connects to the proto-indo-european root 'peuk-', meaning "to prick." the semantic journey is direct: from the act of piercing, to a sharp tip, and finally to the specialized ballet term for dancing on the very tips of the toes. the logic is preserved in the physical precision and sharp, focused contact of the toe with the floor.
Analysis
this is a direct loanword from french, where 'pointe' means "point, tip, peak." it functions as a simplex noun in english.
Examples
the dancer balanced perfectly on pointe for several seconds.
she has been training for years to strengthen her ankles for pointe work.
the choreography includes a difficult sequence performed entirely on pointe.