[stelok]

I have been a somewhat avid enthusiast of martial arts for several years. I my self have always used the broad term "martial arts" when I'm talking about the broad variety of combative systems. But There are some times when I ask myself, "is martial arts the correct term for the arts of fighting?" I am not sure many people even know what the word "martial" means. I wonder if everyone feels the same way.

Martial arts, also known as fighting systems, are bodies of codified practices or traditions of unarmed and armed combat.

"Martial arts" was translated in 1920 in Takenobu's Japanese-English Dictionary from Japanese bu-gei or bu-jutsu which means "the craft or accomplishment of military affairs".

This definition is translated directly from the Chinese term, Wushu (py wu shù, Cantonese, mou seut), to literally, "martial art", referring to all manner of Chinese martial arts.

This term is slightly anomalous in its English usage. Its strict meaning should be "arts for military use" which would include such modern applications such as; flying fighter aircraft, sniper training, and so forth,

First is the word "Martial" meaning militarist trait and to some degree relates to war or the warrior way.

Second is "Arts", which is to give expression, or have skill acquired by experience, study, or observation.

http://www.bigbearacademy.com/martial-arts.html

martial
Pronunciation: 'mär-shl

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin martialis of Mars, from Mart-, Mars

Date: 14th century

1 : of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

2 : relating to an army or to military life

3 : experienced in or inclined to war : WARLIKE

http://www.yourdictionary.com

A martial art is any skill that can be applied in warfare. The word martial means "military." So, a martial art is a military art. Most people don't really consider that when they think of the martial arts. The first things that usually come to mind are leaping, kicking, punching, blocking, inverting elbows, twisting necks, throwing, and sword fighting. That is a very narrow view of the martial arts, though. Did it occur to you that horsemanship, javelin throwing, archery, spear fighting, halberd fighting, wrestling, knife fighting, rifle, shotgun, and pistol shooting, demolitions, logistics, and battle strategy are all martial arts? Anything that a soldier might do in battle is a martial art.

http://www.martialarm.com/informatio...efinition.html - correct link

I think they could be called "Fighting arts" or "combative arts"