Sage Arts Unlimited - Student Section - Glossary of Martial Arts Terminology

M	Glossary
Maai	Japanese, a term referring to the distance between two fighters; the distance between you and your opponent; range; proper distance; determining leads. Sometimes spelled Ma-Ai.
Mabilis	Fast or speedy.
Mae	Japanese, denoting the front, forward, frontal direction.
Mae Geri	Japanese, front kick.
Mae Keage	Japanese, front rising kick; a method of stretching.
Maestro	1. Italian, French, Literally, a Master, one who teaches Fencing or other skills of arms. 2. Portuguese, a teacher of Capoeira and sometimes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Magaling	Highly skilled.
Magbabayo	Figure-eight strike.
Magisa	Alone.
Mag-Olisi	One who practices stick-fighting.
Magulang	Parents; to be shrewd or sly.
Maha Guro	Filipino and Indonesian term meaning great teacher.
Maharlika	Noble or nobility.
Mahina	To be weak or of poor skills.
Mahusay	Skillful.
Main Gauche	Italian, a parrying dagger, a thrusting weapon of between 10" and 24"in length used to compliment the use of a rapier; also referring to the left hand.
Mairi	Tapping with the hand to signify submission.
Makeru	Japanese, To lose or be defeated.
Makikome Nage	Japanese, front rolling throw.
Makiuchi Zuki	Japanese, rolling block, a term used in Kenjutsu.
Makiwara	Japanese, literally "wrapping around." Striking board often wrapped with cloth or rope used in traditional Karate for toughening the knuckles and hardening punches.
Makiwara	Japanese, A Karate training post designed for toughening various striking points.
Makoto	A Japanese term used to describe the principle of utter sincerity, truthfulness, concepts prized in Shinto and Bushido.
Malakas	Strong, powerful or influential.
Malapitan	Near or close.
Malayuan	Far or distant.
Male Triangle	English, A triangle pattern for footwork where the tip of the triangle points towards the opponent.
Man Geng Sao	Cantonese, Neck Pulling Hand, a cupping palm that pulls the neck from various angles, used in trapping.
Man Sao	Cantonese, Probing hand; Lead hand; Inquisitive Hand, a strike used in trapping which involves the edge of the palm, directed towards the body cavities under/beside the ribs. Like the Sut Sao, this incorporates a cross between chopping and pushing energy.
Mandirigma	Warrior.
Mandoble	Spanish, Fencing term, a cut delivered very near the point of the sword by means of a flip of the wrist, similar to the Filipino Abaniko method.
Mandritti	Italian, a term used in fencing referring to cutting actions that move towards the left, from right to left, or inward.
Mano	Spanish, Hand.
Mano a Mano	Spanish, Literally, "Hand to Hand," referring to the empty-handed methods of Kali, including Dumog, Panantukan, and Pananajakman.
Manoble	Italian, a specialized quick-slashing attack termed by the Italian master Carronza which involved a light slash of the point of a sword delivered by a flick of the wrist, made against the hand, forearm or face. See Mandoble.
Manriki	Japanese, a small weighted chain often used in Ninpo. Sometimes referred to as a Manriki Gusarmi.
Mantante	Italian, fencing term, referring to a vertical upward line of attack.
Mao Mat	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing meaning "Punch drunk," the end is near.
Marami	Many or numerous.
Maraming Salamat Po	"Many thanks."
Marki	Block.
Marunong	Knowledgeable.
Masipag	Earnest or hard working.
Master	English, A title bestowed on a Martial Artist who has attained advanced rank after long years of study.
Masugid	Dedicated or loyal.
Mat	1. The protective flooring on which grappling arts practice takes place. 2. Thai, Fist.
Mat At	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, an Uppercut.
Mat Drong	Thai, a technique used in Thai Boxing, a Straight punch.
Mata Leao	Portugese, See Mata Lion, Rear Naked Choke.
Mata Lion	Spanish, Rear Naked Choke, a technique used in several grappling methods, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Shoot Wresting.
Matibay	Strong, durable or long-lasting.
Matira	To be left, to remain, or to be the last.
Matira Matibay	Survival of the fittest.
Matsoki	Korean, sparring.
Mat-te	Japanese, stop, halt, cease action.
Mawashi Geri	Japanese, round kick; roundhouse kick.
May-Alam	To possess the seeds of knowledge.
Mayto	To have.
Media Mano	From the Spanish, A term used in the Filipino Martial Arts to represent Medium Range, where strikes with both hands or two weapons are predominantly used, and the opponent's head and lower limbs are primary targets.
Mediatajo	Spanish, a fencing term referring to the use of cutting strokes with a cut and thrust sword, where the power of the stroke is delivered from the elbow (short arc). Often similar to the Filipino Redondo method of delivery. Sometimes spelled Medio Tajo.
Medya	From the Spanish, A strike, typically backhanded, that strikes out quickly and then returns immediately along the same path, much like a Backfist strike.
Meijin	Japanese, Expert. One who has mastered an art far beyond the boundaries of physical prowess.
Mekugi	Japanese, A bamboo pin used to secure the handle of a Samurai sword to the blade.
Melyo	A Japanese term used to describe the principle of honor and glory, concepts prized in Shinto and Bushido.
Men	Japanese, The head protector used in Kendo.
Menkyo Kaiden	Japanese, A certificate of full proficiency in a Japanese Martial Art, usually awarded to an advanced student deemed more suited to carry on the translation of the art.
Menuki	Japanese, Hilt ornaments of a Samurai sword.
Meteorica	From the Spanish, Meteoric strike from Grandmaster Caballero.
Mi	The blade of a knife or sword.
Mi Tsung I	Labyrinth art. A highly deceptive method of Kung Fu featuring rapid, baffling turns and attacks.
Migi	Japanese, Right or pretaining to the right side.
Migi-Shizen-Tai	Japanese, from Judo, right natural posture.
Mikaeru	Japanese, to look to the rear, or behind you, a term used in Aikido and particularly the Gigen school of Kenjutsu.
Mikiri	Japanese, literally: "close-cutting" During Kyushu, the ability to stay close to one's opponent and counter attack immediately after they have used up their power.
Miso-No-Koro	Japanese, Bushido ideal , concept of having a mind like still water; state of tranquility.
Mizu No Kokoro	Japanese, Mind like water. A psychological principle of the Martial Arts emphasizing the need to calm the mind, much like the surface of undisturbed water, while facing an opponent.
Mizugumo	Japanese, Water spider. A water-crossing device used by the Ninja and composed of four carved pieces of wood fastened together to form a circle with a hole in the middle.
Mizukaki	Japanese, A weblike device used by the Ninja. They were placed on the feet during swimming. Similar to present-day flippers.
Moa Junbi Sogi	Korean, Close ready stance, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Modotte	A command for returning to the original position, used in competition.
Mokpyo	Korean, Striking point or target. Weak areas of the body that can be effectively struck or kicked.
Mokuso	Quiet thought. A quiet form of meditation usually performed before and after a training session in the Japanese Martial Arts.
Mokuso	Japanese, Meditation, a term used in Kendo.
Mondo	Japanese, Zen practice of question and answer Sesshin between a student and an instructor or mentor.
Mongkon	Thai, a term used in Thai Boxing referring to the headband worn during pre-fight ceremony These are unique for each fighter, and also denote their school or training camp of origin.
Montante	Italian, a fencing term referring to a vertical upward line of attack.
Montante Sotto Mano	Italian, a fencing term referring to a manner of cutting upward with the false edge of a blade.
Moo Duk Kwan	Institute of military virtue. A style of Korean Martial Arts similar to Tae Kwon Do.
Moon Mu	Korean, the name of a form used in Tae Kwon Do, Moon Mu honors the 30th king of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Dae Wang Am (Great King's Rock). According to his will, the body was placed in the sea "Where my soul shall forever defend my land against the Japanese." It is said that the Sok Gul Am (Stone Cave) was built to guard his tomb. The Sok Gul Am is a fine example of the culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 661 A.D., when Moon Mu came to the throne.
Mooreup	Korean, Knee.
Motonoichi	Japanese, Return to the original position. A command used by a referee during a Karate match.
Mount	English, In ground fighting, the fighter is said to have gained the mounted position when they are on top of their opponent, with their legs around the opponent's waist.
Mu	1. Japanese, Nothing. The Zen nothingness or emptiness. This principle is often used in the Japanese Martial Arts to make one clear in the mind of all thought so the body will respond instantly to any situation. 2. Japanese, a negative prefix, negating that which follows it in a word.
Muay Acheep	Thai, Professional boxing.
Muay Sakon	Thai, International-style boxing.
Muay Thai	Thai-style boxing.
Mudansha	A Martial Arts student who has not yet attained the rank of black belt.
Mui Fa Jeong	Plum flower stumps. A series of tree stumps driven into the ground on top of which certain styles practice Kung Fu.
Muk Nyom	Korean, Meditate, a term used in Tae Kwon Do.
Mukha	The face.
Muli	Once again; one more time.
Mune	Japanese, Chest or abdomen.
Munetsuki	Japanese, a middle punch, thrusting strike to the solar plexus, a term used in Aikido.
Mushin	Japanese, No-mindedness. Bushido ideal, concept of perfect, thoughtless action, spontaneous and devoid of hesitation or preconception. In Chinese, Wu Hsin.
Mushin No Shin	Japanese, Way of no-mindedness.
Mushotoku	Japanese, to practice with no object; void of desire or contention, without concern for profit or gain, without ego, a Zen ideal.
Muton	The short sticks used in Arnis, usually about three feet in length.
Myung Chi	Solar plexus.

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