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Waslaw Nijinsky

Waslaw Nijinsky

9.9
A Russian ballet dancer who changed male roles in classical ballet
  • proper noun
: Vaslav Nijinsky
  • Waslaw Nijinsky is remembered as one of the most influential ballet dancers of the 20th century.

Examples

  • Waslaw Nijinsky's performances revolutionized male roles in classical ballet.

  • Waslaw Nijinsky was known for his incredible athleticism and artistry.

  • Many critics cite Waslaw Nijinsky as a key figure in modern dance history.

  • The life of Waslaw Nijinsky inspired countless biographies and documentaries.

  • Many consider Waslaw Nijinsky to be a revolutionary figure in ballet.

  • The innovative choreography of Waslaw Nijinsky transformed the world of ballet forever.

  • Waslaw Nijinsky's talent and artistry left a lasting impact on dance performances globally.

Synonyms

Nijinsky
vsWaslaw Nijinsky
2 9.0

A famous Russian ballet dancer from the early 1900s known for high jumps and often called one of the greatest

is a basic statement of his fame without mentioning choreography
Vaslav Nijinsky
vsWaslaw Nijinsky
1 8.8

A Russian ballet dancer and choreographer from the early 20th century

emphasizes only his fame as a great male dancer without the choreographer role

Surface Forms

Morphology

Waslaw + Nijinsky

This is a proper name referring to a specific individual; the biographical meaning 'Russian ballet dancer' is not compositionally derived from the constituent name parts. Personal names are referential rather than semantically compositional, so a B1 learner who only knows the names would not be able to infer the full meaning without prior exposure.

Etymology

Waslaw Nijinsky was a Russian ballet dancer famous for his amazing high jumps and strange, new dances that shocked audiences. Because he changed how men moved on stage with bold, expressive steps, his name is remembered as a symbol of brilliant, modern dance.