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savate

noun

sa·​vate sə-ˈvät How to pronounce savate (audio)
sa-, 
-ˈvat
: a form of boxing in which blows are delivered with either the hands or the feet

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, old shoe

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of savate was in 1843

Rhymes for savate

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Browse Nearby Words

Savasana
savate
savation
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Cite this Entry

“Savate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savate. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on savate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about savate

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