Acrobatics

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The practice that entails performing remarkable feats of agility and coordination often seen in circuses or gymnastics competitions involves flips, jumps, and intricate movements
2. A skillful demonstration of physical abilities characterized by dynamic movements such as flips and jumps, frequently exhibited in various performance arts and competitions
3. The art of executing impressive physical feats that require agility, balance, and coordination, commonly displayed in performances and competitive events

Etymology: Acrobatics is the plural-looking form of "acrobatic," and its history runs back to two Greek words meaning "high" and "walking" or "going." In ancient Greek, "ákros" meant "topmost" or "at the tip," and "bainō" meant "to go," so the compound "akrobátēs" literally described someone who walks on tiptoe or on high points. The Greeks used it for those who performed on the tips of their toes or on high ground, and the idea of a performer moving above the ordinary ground stayed attached to the word throughout its later life. The word reached modern European languages through French, which took "acrobate" from Greek, and English then borrowed the noun "acrobat" from French. The adjective "acrobatic" followed by adding the Latin-derived suffix "-ic," and the form "acrobatics" was formed in English by adding "-s" to that adjective, the same pattern seen in words like "gymnastics" and "athletics." Using the plural-style ending for a whole activity rather than a single act is why the word now names a set of stunts rather than one performer.

Synonyms: gymnastics, stunts, tricks