jujitsu
UK[dʒuːˈdʒɪtsuː]US[dʒuːˈdʒɪtsuː]
n
A Japanese martial art and method of unarmed combat that uses an opponent's own weight and force against them, employing holds, throws, and joint locks.
n
The techniques or principles of this martial art, especially when applied to other areas such as politics or argument.
Etymology
The word "jujitsu" entered English in the late 19th century as a direct borrowing from Japanese 柔術 (jūjutsu). The term itself is a compound within Japanese, where 柔 (jū) signifies "gentleness" or "pliability" and 術 (jutsu) means "art" or "skill." This name reflects the core principle of the martial art: yielding to an opponent's force to redirect it, rather than meeting it with direct opposition. The spelling "jujitsu" represents an early romanization, and the word's journey into English encapsulates the Western fascination with and adoption of Japanese martial practices during a period of increased cultural exchange.
Analysis
This is a loanword from Japanese, adopted as a single, unsegmentable lexical unit in English. The original Japanese term 柔術 (jūjutsu) is composed of 柔 (jū, meaning "gentle, soft, supple") and 術 (jutsu, meaning "art, technique"). However, in the established English spelling "jujitsu", these components are not recognizable or independent morphemes.
Examples
He has been studying traditional Japanese jujitsu for over a decade.
In the debate, she used a form of political jujitsu, turning her opponent's criticism into a strength for her own argument.
The police officer used a jujitsu hold to subdue the suspect without causing injury.