Capriole
/ˈkæp.ri.oʊl/noun
A capriole is a ballet or equestrian leap in which the performer or horse jumps and kicks out in the air.
Did you know?Capriole comes through French from Italian capriola, ultimately tied to Latin caper, meaning “goat,” because the movement was compared to a goat’s springing leap.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle French
French
capriole
“A leap or caper, especially a leaping movement in horsemanship or dance”
16th Century
Italian
capriola
“A leap, tumble, or somersault; a goat-like bound”
Classical Latin
Latin
caper
“Goat”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kapro-
“He-goat”
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