capoeira
[ kap-oo-air-uh ]
/ ˌkæp uˈɛər ə /
noun
a dance form incorporating martial arts elements, originating in Brazil as a system of physical discipline and movement.
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Origin of capoeira
First recorded in 1925–30; from Brazilian Portuguese; of uncertain origin; perhaps a transferred use of capoeira “cultivated area that has reverted to forest or scrub” (referring to the martial art that originated in gatherings held by enslaved and rural people), from Tupi kaápaũ (equivalent to kaá “forest, scrub” + puera “that which once was”); perhaps from Umbundu (a Bantu language spoken in southern Angola) kapwila “a blow, beating”
Words nearby capoeira
Caplet, caplin, cap. moll., cap'n, capo, capoeira, cap of maintenance, capon, caponata, Capone, Capone, Al
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for capoeira
Toomey glides around the room like a Brazilian capoeira dancer.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for capoeira
capoeira
/ (ˌkæpʊˈeɪrə) /
noun
a movement discipline combining martial art and dance, which originated among African slaves in 19th-century Brazil
Word Origin for capoeira
C20: from Portuguese
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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