How does a pas de chat imitate the movement of a cat?

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ballet *La Camargo Dancing*, oil painting of Marie-Anne Camargo by Nicolas Lancret, 1730; in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nantes, France.

The term pas de chat is French for "cat's step," and the movement is designed to mimic the agile, springing nature of a cat. In this ballet leap, the dancer jumps from one foot to the other while drawing both feet up toward the body with bent knees. This action creates a distinct diamond shape with the legs in the air, capturing the quick, light, and feline quality of a cat leaping or pouncing.1