kali
n. uncountablen. a traditional martial art from the Philippines that focuses on using sticks, knives, and open-hand techniques.
n. a system of Filipino martial arts emphasizing weapon-based combat with sticks, bladed weapons, and various improvised tools. Often used interchangeably with the terms Arnis and Eskrima.
He practices kali twice a week to improve his coordination.
The action movie featured realistic fight choreography based on the rapid strikes and blocks of kali.
While many practitioners focus on the rhythmic stick-fighting drills, the core of kali remains a highly practical system of self-defense designed for fluid transitions between armed and unarmed combat.
From Sanskrit काली (kālī) or कालिका (kālikā).
From Sanskrit कलि (kali).
A shortening of German Kalium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Typically treated as uncountable when referring to the martial art as a discipline.
Last updated May 7, 2026