CAPOEIRA Definition & Meaning

capoeira

[ kap-oo-air-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a dance form incorporating martial arts elements, originating in Brazil as a system of physical discipline and movement.

capoeira

/ ˌ��æ��ʊˈ��ɪ��ə /

noun

a movement discipline combining martial art and dance, which originated among African slaves in 19th-century Brazil

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of capoeira¹

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 �첹á�貹ũ (equivalent to �첹á “forest, scrub” + puera “that which once was”); perhaps from Umbundu (a Bantu language spoken in southern Angola) kapwila “a blow, beating”

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of capoeira¹

C20: from Portuguese

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Then it adopted moves from break dancing, samba, capoeira, frevo — whatever was around.

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The now 65-year-old fugitive had been active in a group practicing the Brazilian martial art of capoeira and in a local Afro-Brazilian society, even participating in a popular Berlin street festival and being photographed there.

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In one image, she posed with her local capoeira troupe as they waved their arms exuberantly.

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The dancers also tumble slowly, as in capoeira, showing fluid control rather than momentum and daring.

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She spent a few months in the South American country practicing capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, Fateyev said, clutching a bunch of yellow tulips as he waited to pay his respects at the funeral.

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