Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. While they may be studied for various reasons, martial arts share a single objective: to physically defeat other persons and to defend oneself or others from physical threat. In addition, some martial arts are linked to beliefs such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism or Shinto while others have their own code of honour. Many arts are also practiced competitively most commonly as combat sports, but may also be in the form of dance.

The term 'martial arts' literally means arts of war. This term comes from 15th century Europeans who were referring to their own fighting arts that are today known as historical European martial arts. A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as a martial artist.

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