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

"He's English, but he fights French fashion with la savate."

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

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

But he can't engage in a free-for-all fight, not without long and careful training in that style of battle known as savate, or boxing with the feet.

From Charley de Milo by Laurence M. Janifer

It was with the Revolution that the rapier went out, and the savate came in.

From Sword and Gown A Novel by George A. (George Alfred) Lawrence