Pirouette

pir'oo-ef, n. A whirling about on the toes in dancing. — v. To turn about on the toes, as in dancing. [F., orig. a turn made by a horse without changing his ground, dim. of ProvF. piroue, a little wheel or whirligig, a child's toy; prob. onomat.: cf. ME. pirle, prille, a whirligig, also E. birr, purr, whirr, etc.]