karate

[ kuh-rah-tee ]
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noun
  1. a method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attacker's body with the hands, elbows, knees, or feet.: Compare judo, jujitsu.

  2. a sport based on this method of self-defense.

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Origin of karate

1
1950–55; <Japanese, equivalent to kara empty + te (earlier *tai) hand(s)

Words Nearby karate

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How to use karate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for karate

karate

/ (kəˈrɑːtɪ) /


noun
    • a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat, employing smashes, chops, kicks, etc, made with the hands, feet, elbows, or legs

    • (as modifier): a karate chop to the head

Origin of karate

1
Japanese, literally: empty hand, from kara empty + te hand

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