an exercise consisting of a sequence of the specific movements of a martial art, used in training and designed to show skill in technique
Word origin
C20: Japanese, literally: shape, pattern
kata- in British English
prefix
a variant of cata-
kata- in American English
(ˈkætə)
cata-
: also, before a vowel, kat-
kata in American English
(ˈkɑːtə)
noun
an exercise consisting of several of the specific movements of a martial art, esp.a pattern prescribed for defending oneself against several attackers, used in judo and karate training
Word origin
[1950–55; ‹ Japn: shape, pattern]This word is first recorded in the period 1950–55. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Common Market, action painting, allograph, conflict of interest, speech recognition
Examples of 'kata' in a sentence
kata
The benefits of practising kata, however, are numerous.
Globe and Mail (2003)
Those for sparring (kumite) are lighter, stronger and better ventilated than those for a kata - a setpiece routine of moves.