savate

[ suh-vat ]

noun

1. a sport resembling boxing but permitting blows to be delivered with the feet as well as the hands.

savate

/ səˈvæt /

noun

1. a form of boxing in which blows may be delivered with the feet as well as the hands

Word History and Origins

Origin of savate¹

1860–65; < French: literally, old shoe. See sabot

Word History and Origins

Origin of savate¹

C19: from French, literally: old worn-out shoe; related to sabot

Example Sentences

Thus far none of GAISF’s martial arts and combat sports federations – aikido, boxing, fencing, judo, ju-jitsu, karate, kendo, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Pankration, sambo, savate, sumo, taekwondo, wrestling and wushu – have made a formal rivalry claim against MMA’s bid, according to the IMMAF-WMMAA, however behind the scenes White said several members have mentioned the possibility.

From The Guardian

The idea of the elimination-style event at Denver’s McNichols Arena was to pit contrasting martial arts styles against one another to determine “the best,” and Tuli’s slow-moving sumo skills stood no chance against Gordeau’s swift savate moves.

From Washington Post

The fight card that first night included a boxer, a kickboxer, a sumo wrestler and a practitioner of Savate, a French martial art.

From Washington Post

Royce Gracie emerged as UFC's first star because he beat three opponents on that card, prompting through various chokes to get boxer Art Jimmerson, wrestler Shamrock and savate fighter Gerard Gordeau to tap out.

From Los Angeles Times

The man is delivering a series of kicks in the style of La Savate at the woman, who is defiant and nimble and defends herself with her jacket, which she has taken off and uses both as a guard and as a weapon.

From Project Gutenberg