PUGILISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pugilism mean? 

• PUGILISM (noun)
  The noun PUGILISM has 1 sense:

1. fighting with the fists

  Familiarity information: PUGILISM used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PUGILISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fighting with the fists

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

boxing; fisticuffs; pugilism

Hypernyms ("pugilism" is a kind of...):

contact sport (a sport that necessarily involves body contact between opposing players)

Domain member category:

boxing equipment (equipment used in boxing)

below the belt (disregarding the rules (from the notion of an illegal low blow in boxing))

cut (move (one's fist))

hook (hit with a hook)

remain down; take the count (be counted out; remain down while the referee counts to ten)

count out (declare the loser)

decision ((boxing) a victory won on points when no knockout has occurred)

gumshield; mouthpiece ((especially boxing) equipment that protects an athlete's mouth)

boxing ring; prize ring (a square ring where boxers fight)

boxing glove; glove (boxing equipment consisting of big and padded coverings for the fists of the fighters; worn for the sport of boxing)

clinch ((boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily)

sidestep (a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing))

biff; clout; lick; poke; punch; slug ((boxing) a blow with the fist)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "pugilism"):

professional boxing (boxing for money)

in-fighting (boxing at close quarters)

fight (a boxing or wrestling match)

rope-a-dope (a boxing tactic: pretending to be trapped against the ropes while your opponent wears himself out throwing punches)

spar; sparring (making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer)

Derivation:

pugilist (someone who fights with his fists for sport)

pugilistic (of or relating to pugilism or pugilists)