calisthenics

or cal·lis·then·ics

[kal-uh s-then-iks]

See more synonyms for calisthenics on Thesaurus.com

noun

(used with a plural verb) gymnastic exercises designed to develop physical health and vigor, usually performed with little or no special apparatus.
(used with a singular verb) the art, practice, or a session of such exercises.

Origin of calisthenics

1840–50; cali- (variant of calli-) + Greek sthén(os) strength + -ics

Related formscal·is·then·ic, cal·is·then·i·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for calisthenics

training, task, lesson, workout, act, problem, action, examination, drill, activity, test, performance, operation, study, movement, exertion, discipline, pursuit, constitutional, labor

Examples from the Web for calisthenics

Contemporary Examples of calisthenics

Meanwhile, CrossFit has taken the relatively solitary world of weightlifting and calisthenics and spun a communitarian dreamland.
Is American Christianity Becoming a Workout Cult?
Michael Schulson
April 27, 2014
Teachers led them in brisk, mostly stationary, calisthenics.
Kids of War: Libyan Children Fight a New Battle at School
Danielle Shapiro
June 30, 2012
We were still required to do all the runs and PT (calisthenics, obstacle course, and so on).
Inside Seal Team Six by Don Mann Excerpt
Don Mann
December 4, 2011

Historical Examples of calisthenics

The extensive system of calisthenics gives to the body suppleness.
Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence
Various
In the schools not so equipped the physical work is confined to calisthenics.
The New Education
Scott Nearing
Now, Van Twiller was an enthusiast on the subject of calisthenics.
Mademoiselle Olympe Zabriski
Thomas Bailey Aldrich
This was not as with us, but more of the form of calisthenics.
The Historical Child
Oscar Chrisman
I wish them to be thoroughly taught, especially music and calisthenics.
Holiday Stories for Young People
Various

British Dictionary definitions for calisthenics

calisthenics

noun

a variant spelling (esp US) of callisthenics

Derived Formscalisthenic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for calisthenics

1847 (calisthenic (adj.) is from 1839), formed on model of French callisthenie, from Latinized comb. form of Greek kallos "beauty" + sthenos "strength" + -ics. Originally, gymnastic exercises suitable for girls and meant to develop the figure and promote graceful movement. The proper Greek, if there was such a word in Greek, would have been *kallistheneia.

calisthenics in Medicine

calisthenics

[kăl′ĭs-thĕn′ĭks]

pl.n.

Gymnastic exercises, such as sit-ups, designed to develop muscular tone and promote physical fitness.