tai chi chuan

tai chi

 (tī′ chē′, jē′) or tai chi chuan (chwän′)

n.

A Chinese martial art whose system of physical exercises is often practiced as a way of meditating or improving well-being.

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[From Mandarin tài jí quán (formerly romanized t'ai chi ch'üan) : tài jí, great ultimate (a concept in Chinese cosmology) (from Middle Chinese t^haj` kɦiə̆k : t<sup>h</sup>aj`, very great, greatest + kɦiə̆k, ridge-pole, pole, extremity) + quán, boxing (from Middle Chinese kɦyan, fist).]

t'ai chi ch'uan

or tai chi chuan

(ˈtaɪ ˈdʒi ˈtʃwɑn, ˈtʃi)
n.

a Chinese system of meditative exercises, characterized by methodically slow circular and stretching movements.

Also called t'ai′ chi′, tai′ chi′.

[1960–65; < Chinese tàijí quán literally, fist of the Great Absolute]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

tai chi chuan - a Chinese system of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation and balance and health tai chi, t'ai chi, t'ai chi chuan, taichi, taichichuan martial art - any of several Oriental arts of weaponless self-defense; usually practiced as a sport; "he had a black belt in the martial arts"