jujitsu

/ˈdʒuˌdʒɪtsu/

/dʒuˈdʒɪtsu/

Jujitsu is a Japanese martial art that involves defending oneself by hand with holds, throws, and blows. The practice of jujitsu dates to the 17th century, when samurai warriors used it to augment their swords.

Jujitsu is from the Japanese jujutsu, which comes from ju, "softness," and jutsu, "art." While some forms of jujitsu involve very small weapons, most don't. In this style of close combat, a practitioner tries to redirect an opponent's attack against them, rather than aggressively countering that force. Today, some people learn jujitsu in order to practice a graceful, powerful martial art, and others use it for self defense.

Definitions of jujitsu

1. noun

   a method of self-defense without weapons that was developed in China and Japan; holds and blows are supplemented by clever use of the attacker's own weight and strength
   synonyms: jiujitsu, jujutsu

   type of:

   martial art

   any of several East Asian arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport