Corté is a Spanish word meaning cut, and has been chosen as a name for several figures in both the International and American syllabi. In each case, it is an indication that the figure "cuts back", or chages direction from forward to back. In the case of the Waltz Reverse Corté, it is a reverse, or left-turning action that cuts back, to be followed by a backward moving figure such as the Back Whisk.

The Reverse Corté is a simple pattern consisting of 3 steps. It begins with man backing, and lady facing line of dance. At a glance, it appears very much like the second half of a Reverse Turn, particularly from the standpoint of the lady's foot positions. However, the man's foot positions on the inside of the turn act more like a hesitation, his left foot closing to his right as he puts on the brakes to begin changing direction. By the time the lady has taken her third step, his body is poised to move backward, inviting her to step forward on the following step, outside partner on his right side.

The amount of turn for the Reverse Corté, as indicated in the man's and lady's charts, is 3/8 to left, begining with man backing line of dance and ending backing diagonal center against line of dance. However, the Corté can begin on other alignments and turn as little as 1/4, or as much as 5/8 to left. Here are some other variations of amounts of turn, with starting and ending alignments and recommended follows: