Gis

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A garment typically worn in martial arts such as judo or karate consisting of a jacket and pants designed for training and competition
2. Clothing made from durable fabric used in various combat sports to provide comfort and flexibility during practice and fighting
3. Special attire comprising a reinforced top and trousers worn by athletes in specific martial disciplines to facilitate movement and withstand grappling stresses

Etymology: Judo and karate students train in a uniform called a "gi," but the word started life as an acronym in the military. It stands for "general impression and shape," the phrase used for a quick visual assessment of an object, such as an enemy vehicle or a piece of equipment, judged by its overall outline rather than its details. The link to martial arts is a matter of metaphor rather than direct lineage. The word moved from military jargon into the vocabulary of Japanese-derived combat sports, where it names the jacket-and-trousers outfit worn for training and competition. Its origin in an abbreviated phrase about overall shape and impression is the surprising part: a term for seeing the big picture ended up naming a uniform.

Synonyms: gi, martial arts uniform, karate uniform, judo uniform