The Collaborative International Dictionary
Figurante
Figurante \Fig"u*rante`\ (? or ?), n. fem. [F.] A female figurant; esp., a ballet girl.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
figurante
"one who dances in the 'figures' of the ballet" (in troops and as background for soloists), 1775, from French figurante, noun use of fem. past participle of figurer (see figure (v.)). In some cases perhaps from Italian figurante.
Wiktionary
figurante
n. A female figurant, especially a ballet dancer.
Usage examples of "figurante".
If so, you shall have in return the earliest intelligence of every new soprano, and the most elaborate criticisms on every budding figurante of our court.
There were soubrettes, columbines, coryphees, harlequinas, figurantes, and so onthe usual thing.
There were soubrettes, columbines, coryphees, harlequinas, figurantes, and so on--the usual thing.