aikido
UK[aɪˈkiːdəʊ]US[aɪˈkiːdoʊ]
n
a japanese martial art that uses locks, holds, and throws and uses the opponent's own strength and weight against them.
Etymology
the word 'aikido' is a direct borrowing from japanese, entering the english lexicon in the mid-20th century as this martial art gained international popularity. it is a compound formed from three japanese elements: 'ai' (harmony, joining), 'ki' (spirit, energy), and 'dō' (way, path). thus, the term literally translates to "the way of harmonizing spirit," which perfectly encapsulates the art's philosophical principle of blending with and redirecting an opponent's force rather than opposing it directly. as a loanword, its spelling and morphological structure remain intact in english, representing a unified concept.
Analysis
this is a loanword from japanese, adopted as a single lexical unit in english. it is not segmented into meaningful sub-parts using english or classical language morphemes.
Examples
he has been practicing aikido for over a decade to cultivate both physical discipline and mental focus.
the core principle of aikido is not to defeat an enemy, but to neutralize aggression without causing serious injury.
the dojo offers beginner classes in aikido every tuesday and thursday evening.