A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | Y
A
- Advance (Marche) - Stepping forward towards the opponent.
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B
- Balestra (Balestra) - A jump, often made during an attack.
- Barrel (Embase) - In electric foil and épée, the cylindrical base of the point within which all the other parts sit.
- Bayonet (Baïonnette) - A type of connector at the end of a body cord, used sometimes in foil and sabre. Consists of a single large prong.
- Beat (Battement) - The striking of one's weapon against an opponents. Used as a preparation for an attack.
- Bell Guard - The rounded protective metal between the blade and pommel of a sword.
- Bind (Liement) - Moving the opponent's blade to the diagonally opposite line.
- Black Card (Carton Noir) - The most serious violation. Fencer generally expelled for receiving a black card.
- Blade (Lame) - The longest part of the weapon, located above the bell guard, used to attack the opponent.
- Body Cord (Fils de Corps) - The electric cord running from the weapon to the connector for the reel. Helps connect weapon to the scorebox. For foil and sabre, also connects to the lamé.
- Bout (Match) - A fencing match.
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C
- Circular Parry (Tromper le Contre) - A parry performed by making a circle with one's blade to move the opponent's blade into a different closed line. (see counter-parry)
- Contact Spring (Ressort) - In electric foil and épée, it is the smallest of the springs within the point. Attached to the tip.
- Corps-à-Corps (Corps-à-Corps) - Bodily contact between two fencers. Illegal in foil and sabre. Minor corps-à-corps allowed in épée.
- Counter-Disengage (Contre-Dégagement) - A disengage to deceive a counter-parry.
- Counter-Parry (Contre-Parade) - Parry in the opposite line of attack. Defending fencer first changes engagement then parries. (see circular parry)
- Counter-Riposte (Contre-Riposte) - A riposte following the parry of a riposte.
- Counter-Time (Contre-Temps) - An attack in response to a counter-attack.
- Croisé (Croisé) - Moving the opponent's blade to the high or low line on the same side.
- Crossover (Passe Avant, Arrière) - A movement forward or backwards where the feet cross. Illegal in sabre.
- Cut (Coup de Taille) - A slicing sabre attack.
- Cutover (Coupé) - Moving the tip of one's blade over the opponent's. Similar to a disengage, but performed over rather than under the opponent's blade.
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D
- Disengage (Dégagement) - Moving the tip of one's blade underneath the opponent's.
- Doublé (Doublé) - An attack with a disengage followed by a counter-disengage. Deceives a lateral parry followed by a counter-parry.
- Double-Touch (Coup Double) - Both fencers landing hits simultaneously.
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E
- En Garde (En Garde) - The initial stance of a fencer. Feet shoulder width apart, front foot pointing towards opponent, back foot perpendicular, front arm at the ready, back arm up behind the head.
- Envelopment (Enveloppement) - Moving the opponent's blade in a full circle.
- Épée (Épée) - A weapon in fencing. No right of way, everything valid target area, point attacks, longer heavier blades, larger bell guard. Mass of about 770g and about 1.10 metres in length.
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F
- Feint (Feinte) - An attack not meant to score but to draw a reaction from opponent.
- Flèche (Flèche) - A running attack.
- Flunge - A cross between a flèche and a lunge. Used by sabre fencers since crossing the feet (crossovers, flèche, etc) are illegal.
- Foible (Le Faible de la Lame) - The uppermost, weakest part of the blade.
- Foil (Fleuret) - A weapon in fencing. Right of way, torso and groin valid target areas, point attacks, medium blades, smallest bell guard. Mass of about 500g and about 1.10 metres in length.
- Forté (Le Fort de la Lame) - The lowermost, strongest part of the blade.
- French Grip (Poingée Droite) - A type of grip on the pommel. Long and straight to be placed against the forearm.
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G
- Glide (Coulé) - Attacking with opposition by sliding along opponent's blade.
- Glove (Gant) - The protective gear worn on the hand.
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H
- High Line (Ligne Haute) - The top half of the target area.
- Hilt (Garde) - Everything below the blade on a weapon. Comprised of the guard, grip, and pommel.
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I
- Inquartata - Pivoting around the front-foot so as to move the target-area away.
- Inside Line (Linge Interne) - The back half of the target area.
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J
- Jacket (Veste) - The protective gear worn over the torso and arms.
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K
- Knickers (Pantalon) - The protective gear worn over the legs. Covers the waist, hips, thighs, and knees.
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L
- Lamé (Lamé) - A metallic vest or jacket worn by electric foil or sabre fencers.
- Low Line (Ligne Basse) - The lower half of the target area.
- Lunge (Fente) - Placing the feet twice shoulder width apart into a lunge position. Common during attacks.
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M
- Mask (Masque) - The protective gear worn over the head.
- Master (Maître) - The third and highest level of certification as a fencing coach. Provost certification must be earned first. A research paper and a practical examination given by three fencing masters are required to become a fencing master. Also sometimes called a maestro.
- Monitor (Moniteur) - The first level of certification as a fencing coach. It may be earned in each of the three weapons individually. There is a written and a practical examination given by two provosts or one fencing master in order to become a monitor.
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O
- Octave (Octave) - Parry #8 in the outside low line.
- Off-Target - A hit made in an area that is not target area for that weapon.
- One-Two Attack (Une-Deux Attaque) - An attack with two lateral disengagements. Deceives two lateral parries.
- Opposition (Opposition) - Pressing one's blade against the opponent's.
- Outside Line (Ligne Externe) - The front half of the target area.
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P
- Parry (Parade) - The defensive action blocking an opponent's attack.
- Passata-Sotto (Passata Sotto) - A lunge while placing the off-hand on the floor.
- Phrase (Phrases d'Armes) - A series of actions made by the fencers until a point is made or the fencers step apart.
- Piste (Piste) - The strip fencing takes place on.
- Pistol Grip (Crosse) - A type of grip on the pommel. In the shape of a pistol handle. Comes in a variety of styles.
- Point Screw (Ecrous de Pointe) - Sometimes called grub screw. In electric foil and épée, they hold the tip within the barrel.
- Pommel (Pommeau) - The end of the sword, below the grip. Used as a counterweight to the blade.
- Pressure Spring (Ressort Pression) - In electric foil and épée, it is the largest of the springs within the point. Able to push up 500g in foil and 750g épée.
- Prime (Prime) - Parry #1 in the inside high line.
- Pris-de-fer (Prise-de-Fer) - The taking of the opponent's weapon while also attacking.
- Provost (Prévôt) - The second level of certification as a fencing coach. Monitor certification in all three weapons must be earned first. There is a written and a practical examination given by two fencing masters in order to become a provost.
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Q
- Quarte (Quarte) - Parry #4 in the inside high line.
- Quinte (Quinte) - Parry #5 in the inside low line.
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R
- Reassembly (Rassemblement) - Standing straight by pulling the front foot back and straightening the legs.
- Red Card (Carton Rouge) - Minor violation. Point awarded to opposing fencer.
- Redoublement (Redoublement) - A new action made after the failure of the first.
- Reel (Enrouleur) - A spring-loaded box with a spool of wire, connected to the scorebox. Attaches to body cord of fencer and reels out/in more electric cord.
- Remise (Remise) - The instant continuation of an attack after the failure of the first, no recovery of the arm.
- Retreat (Retraite) - Stepping backward away the opponent.
- Right-of-Way (Priorité) - Rules governing the winner of a point when a double-touch has occurred in foil or sabre.
- Riposte (Riposte) - The attack following a parry.
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S
- Sabre (Sabre) - A weapon in fencing. Right of way, above waist valid target areas, point and slashing attacks, lightest blades, largest bell guard. Mass of about 500g and about 1.05 metres in length.
- Salle (Salle) - Sometimes the room in which a fencing club trains and fences. Sometimes the name of a club which has a particularly well-known coach.
- Salute (Salut) - Gesture of respect. Made to a coach, opponent, referee, or audience. Every bout begins and ends with salutes.
- Scorebox (Scoreur) - Piece of equipment that determines touches and off-target hits. Connected to the reels.
- Second Intention (Seconde Intention) - A false attack followed by the intended (second) attack.
- Seconde (Seconde) - Parry #2 in the outside low line.
- Septime (Septime) - Parry #7 in the inside low line.
- Sixte (Sixte) - Parry #6 in the outside high line.
- Stop-Thrust (Coup d'Arrêt) - The quick attack made while the opponent is preparing an attack.
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T
- Thrust (Coup de Pointe) - The extension of the arm in an attack.
- Tierce (Tierce) - Parry #3 in the outside high line.
- Tip (Partie Supérieur) - In electric foil and épée, the tip is the top-most part of the point. It moves within the barrel and opens or closes the circuit.
- Touch (Touche) - A proper point-scoring hit.
- Two-Prong - A type of connector at the end of a body cord, used sometimes in foil and sabre. Consists of two smaller prongs.
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U
- Underarm Protector (Plastron) - The protective gear worn on the torso along the weapon hand, underneath the jacket.
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Y
- Yellow Card (Carton Jaune) - Warning for most minor violations during a bout.
- Yielding Parry (Parade en Cédant) - A parry using the opponent's force to move the engagement into a different closed line. Often used against a pris-de-fer.
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