Main Entry: ca·po·ei·ra

Pronunciation: \ˌkä-pə-ˈwā-rə, ˌkäp-ˈwā-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Brazilian Portuguese, kind of martial art, ruffian skilled in this art, fugitive slave living in the forest, from capão island of forest in a clear-cut area, from Tupi kaʔapáũ, from kaʔá forest + paũ round

Date: 1945

: a Brazilian dance of African origin that incorporates martial arts movements such as kicks and chops