This is about using the adjective kinetic (related to, exhibiting, motion, kinesis/AHDotEL; dynamic/energetic, a kinetic performer/MW) to describe someone in a composition with a contrasting element:
He was kinetic and yet totally in control.
Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, Copeland, Jones
Seemingly not so common when used as an adjective with he/she and the verb to be (ngram). Kinetic is most definitely of Greek origin. Yet it feels (to me) it's more often used with inanimate objects, with science (kinetic energy etc.). Upon reading the quote it reminded me of someone being ecstatic, something going ballistic, or a magnetic/kinetic type of personality and such, because it rhymes I guess and I'm not clear as to what this means beyond the idea of motion. But someone per se being kinetic, is that emotion or motion? Is that moving or dancing?
- Is that a typical, idiomatic and expressive use of kinetic in
context? - What is the meaning of kinetic here, what does the expression mean, and what are the connotations the composition carries?
- Is that a classical ballet term? Is there an ellipsis of some noun i.e. what is really kinetic here? I'm not clear on the context (the impression from the person walking up the stage or the performance or a state of being of the performer per se)
- Had one said he was ballistic but on target, or
bouncing off the walls yet always in control, or just that he had amazing movement coordination, how would that be different?
Best Answer
In physics, there are two types of energy potential and kinetic.
Potential energy is just that, something that has the possibility of happening. An apple hanging from a tree, a book on a table.
Once the apple or book falls from their perch, the potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, it is realised as movement with possibly secondary vibrations or ripples which can be felt.
In your excerpt
The author is using her vocabulary of movement to describe the appearance of Prince on stage, the energy he exuded, his movements, and his dancing. She is saying he was moving quickly and energetically, but was still in control. If you've ever seen Prince perform, you will know that he is always in control.
Also with performers, they can be described as being kinetic at an energetic level. Electric might be a good synonym where the performer takes on a buzzing/humming quality with their presence, like a high voltage transformer.
Ballistic would imply a singular, sudden unidirectional movement.
Bouncing off the walls would imply movement without intent.
Neither would be appropriate for describing how Prince moves and performs.