Entrechat (typically followed by a number) is most frequently used in the context of dance but exists in a more general context as a jump or bound, often made out of excitement or joy. In ballet, an entrechat is a jump in which the legs beat at the level of the thigh, crossing one in front of the other, as opposed to a cabriole in which the legs may meet in a crossed position but don’t intentionally cross and recross.
The dancer jumps from a crossed position bringing one leg in front of the other and continuing to alternate depending on the number assigned to the entrechat by the choreographer/teacher.
Entrechat is pronounced [ɑ̃tʀəʃa]. En- sounds almost like "on" in English except that the n isn't pronounced and the vowel sound comes through both the nose and the mouth. -tr sounds as you’d expect but the r sound happens in the back of the throat instead of the front of the mouth. -e sounds like the hesitation “uh” in English. And chat - sounds like "sh" and "ah" put together.
While you might recognize the word “chat” from pas de chat or saut de chat, entrechat has no relation to cats. Its origins go back to the Italian verb intrecciare meaning braided or woven together. Salto intrecciato in Italian turned into saut entrelacé in French meaning an interlaced or braided jump. One can imagine the laced or braided appearance of the legs as the dancer switches the legs from one crossed position to another and sometimes performs multiple switches per leg.
Some examples: Note that either leg can be the initial leg in the jump and that jumps landing on a single foot can land with the lifted leg either in front (devant) or in back (derrière).
(Entrechat) royale - for example: Beginning with the right foot front in fifth, the dancer jumps, beats the thighs with the right leg in front and lands with the right leg in back.
Entrechat deux - for example: Beginning with the right foot in front in fifth, the dancers jumps beating the right leg in back and landing with the right leg in 5th devant. Note: Some schools don’t recognize this jump. It only differs from entrechat quatre in that it does not beat the dominant leg back in the initial position before landing.
Entrechat trois - for example: Beginning with the right foot front in fifth, the dancer jumps, beats the thighs with the right leg front, and lands with the right leg in cou-de-pied derrière
Entrechat quatre - for example: Beginning with the right foot front in fifth, the dancer jumps, beats the thighs with the right leg back, and lands with the right leg in fifth position devant.
Entrechat cinq - for example: Beginning with the right foot front in fifth, the dancer jumps, beats the thighs with the right leg back, beats again with the right leg front, and lands on the right foot with the left leg in cou-de-pied derrière.
Entrechat six - for example: Beginning with the right foot front in fifth, the dancer jumps, beats the thighs with the right leg back, in front, and in back again, and lands with the right leg in fifth position derriere.