karate

noun

1. a method developed in Japan of defending oneself without the use of weapons by striking sensitive areas on an attacker’s body with the hands, elbows, knees, or feet.Compare judo, jujitsu.
2. a sport based on this method of self-defense.

noun

1. 1. a traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat, employing smashes, chops, kicks, etc, made with the hands, feet, elbows, or legs
   2. (as modifier)a karate chop to the head

n.

1955, Japanese, literally “empty hand, bare hand,” from kara “empty” + te “hand.” A devotee is a karateka.