- (used with a pl. verb) The gymnastic moves of an acrobat.
- (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The art, skill, or performance of an acrobat.
- (used with a pl. verb) A display of spectacular virtuosic skill and agility: vocal acrobatics.
Dictionary:
ac·ro·bat·ics (ăk'rə-băt'ĭks) ![]() |
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| World of the Body: acrobatics |
The specialized art of jumping, tumbling, and balancing, requiring agility and skilful control of the body. The word derives from the Greek akrobatos, which may be translated ‘walking on tiptoe’, but which literally means ‘to go to the highest point’ (akros: highest; batos, from the verb for ‘to go’). While the etymology is Greek, the performing art of acrobatics has roots in ancient Chinese culture, where it emerged in tribal rituals related to daily activities. Work, intertribal relations, and religious sacrifices all had their own corresponding acrobatic movements as the art developed alongside music, song, and dance. Acrobatics has maintained its status as a spectacular bodily art; complex gymnastic feats are now often performed with apparatus such as balls, unicycles, trampolines, tightropes, and trapezes.
— Debra Hawhee
| Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: acrobatics |
For more information on acrobatics, visit Britannica.com.
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The trapeze artists performed stunning acrobatics.
| Wikipedia: Acrobatics |
Acrobatics (from Greek Akros, high and bat, walking) is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports. Acrobatics is most often associated with activities that make extensive use of gymnastic elements, such as acro dance, circus, and gymnastics, but many other athletic activities—such as ballet and diving—may also employ acrobatics. Although acrobatics is most commonly associated with human body performance, it may also apply to other types of performance, such as aerial acrobatics.
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In China, acrobatics have been a part of the culture since the Western Han Dynasty, over 2500 years ago. Acrobatics were part of village harvest festivals.[1] During the Tang Dynasty, acrobatics saw much the same sort of development as European acrobatics saw during the Middle Ages, with court displays during the 7th through 10th century dominating the practice.[2] Acrobatics continues to be an important part of modern Chinese variety art.
Acrobatic traditions are found in many Western cultures as well. Minoan art from circa 2000 BC contains depictions of acrobatic feats on the backs of bulls, which may have been a religious ritual.[3] The noble court displays of the European Middle Ages would often include acrobatic performances along with song, juggling and other activities.
Though the term initially applied to tightrope walking, in the 19th century, a form of performance art including circus acts began to use the term as well. In the late 19th century, tumbling and other acrobatic and gymnastic activities became competitive sport in Europe.
Acrobatics has often served as a key subject for fine art. An example of this is Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) by Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, which depicts two German acrobatic sisters.
Traditionally, acrobatic skills were kept within families and passed from parents to children. This is still true especially among family circus groups, although most acrobats are now taught by larger scale education systems as circuses are now made up of many more professionals than they used to be.[citation needed]
Schools that specialize in acrobatics training provide a constant flow of new acrobatic artists. Some of these schools are independently operated, and some are supported and affiliated with circuses.[citation needed]
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| Translations: Acrobatics |
Dansk (Danish)
n. pl. - akrobatik
n. - akrobatik
Nederlands (Dutch)
acrobatiek, indrukwekkende vertoning van vaardigheid
Français (French)
n. pl. - acrobatie, aisance remarquable
n. - acrobatie
Deutsch (German)
n. pl. - Akrobatik, Kunststücke
n. - Akrobatik, Kunststücke
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. pl. - ακροβασίες, ακροβατικά
Italiano (Italian)
acrobatica, acrobazia
Português (Portuguese)
n. pl. - acrobacia (f)
Español (Spanish)
n. pl. - acrobacia
n. - acrobacia
Svenska (Swedish)
n. pl. - akrobatik
中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
杂技, 巧妙手法, 技巧, 杂技表演, 特技飞行
中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. pl. - 雜技, 巧妙手法, 技巧, 雜技表演, 特技飛行
n. - 雜技, 巧妙手法, 技巧, 雜技表演, 特技飛行
日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 軽業, 曲芸, 軽業の演技
العربيه (Arabic)
(الجمع) ألألعاب ألبهلوانيه, ألبهلوانيات
עברית (Hebrew)
n. pl. - לוליינות, אקרובטיקה, דבר המבוצע בקלות יתרה
n. - אמנות הלוליינות (אקרובטיקה), אקרובטיקה
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