t'ai chi ch'uan

[tahy jee chwahn, chee]

noun

a Chinese martial art and form of stylized, meditative exercise, characterized by methodically slow circular and stretching movements and positions of bodily balance.

Also tai chi chuan; Pinyin, tai ji quan

[tahy jee chyahn] /ˈtaɪ ˈdʒi ˈtʃüɑn/.

Origin of t'ai chi ch'uan

First recorded in 1960–65, t'ai chi ch'uan is from the Chinese word tàijí quán literally, fist of the Great Absolute

Also called t'ai chi, tai chi, tai ji.

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

British Dictionary definitions for t'ai chi ch'uan

t'ai chi ch'uan

noun

a Chinese system of callisthenics characterized by coordinated and rhythmic movementsOften shortened to: t'ai chi (ˈtaɪ ˈdʒiː)

Word Origin for t'ai chi ch'uan

Chinese, literally: great art of boxing

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