savate

American  

[suh-vat] / səˈvæt /

noun

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

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savate British  

/ səˈvæt /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of savate

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

savate

In addition to the French language lessons and other instruction he was given, Hassanzade was initiated into French boxing by a local social worker and savate coach, Bruno Cardoso.

From Time Magazine Archive

Max stood his ground, rather expecting to be attacked in revenge by some of Pelle's angry allies; and the man who had warned him to beware of "la savate" took a step nearer him.

From A Soldier of the Legion by Williamson, C. N. (Charles Norris)

The savate is a rude exercise in vogue among rowdies, and consists in kicking with the peasant's wooden shoe.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 19, May, 1859 by Various

Lessons in savate, which was practised especially by roughs, were usually given in some low resort, and there were no respectable teachers.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 3 "Borgia, Lucrezia" to "Bradford, John" by Various

Luckily for the Englishman he had clutched Dubois before the latter could attempt any of the expedients of the savate.

From The Albert Gate Mystery Being Further Adventures of Reginald Brett, Barrister Detective by Tracy, Louis