Final answer:
The term for a bending of the legs in a standing position in ballet is a plié (D). This movement serves as a preparatory step for jumps, providing elasticity and grace in dance, and is crucial for the fluidity and control necessary in ballet.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ballet, the term for a bending of the legs in a standing position, which provides a springy quality to steps of elevation and lightness to all dance moves, is D) Plié. A plié is a fundamental movement in ballet that involves the bending of the knees while keeping the heels on the floor as much as possible.
It serves as a preparatory step for jumps and is integral to achieving fluidity and grace in dance. Precise execution of the plié allows dancers to build strength and control, essential for more complex movements like the jeté, and imbues their performance with the light, airy and radiant quality captured in the imagery of Edgar Degas's ballet paintings.
Degas's artwork often depicts dancers in various ballet positions, highlighting their form and the ethereal nature of ballet, much like the strength and elegance that spring from a properly executed plié.