nunchaku

[ nuhn-chah-koo ]

noun

1. Sometimes nunchakus. a Japanese hand weapon for defense against frontal assault, consisting of two foot-long hardwood sticks joined by a chain or thick cord that stretches to body width.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nunchaku¹

1965–70; < Okinawan Japanese version of a dialectal Chinese (Taiwan) word for a farm implement, probably neng-cak, equivalent to Chinese lyǎng pair(ed) + záo dig (a hole), i.e., two diggers; with 2nd element interpreted as zat, equivalent to Chinese jié section

Example Sentences

While stealing moments to train for an upcoming nunchaku scene — the signature weapon of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, whose writings inspired the project — Koji accidentally smacked himself in the head, he admits.

From Los Angeles Times

She sighed as she put the battle-ax back, then flipped out a pair of nunchaku.

From Literature

The man in his 30s was found carrying nunchaku, an Asian martial arts weapon, as well as an electric shocker, chains and other “means of assault,” the police said.

From Seattle Times

Please, pretty please, stay around for the madly spinning nunchaku, thong leotard and choreographed “tomayto-tomahto” conga.

From New York Times

It turned out to be a younger firefighter swinging nunchaku as his colleagues broke down in laughter.

From Los Angeles Times

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