corps-a-corps

English

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French corps-à-corps (literally “body to body”). Compare corps, corpse, corpus.

Noun

corps-a-corps

1. (fencing) The action of two fencers coming into physical contact with one another with any portion of their bodies or hilts.

Usage notes

• While physical contact is illegal in foil and sabre bouts, in epee fencing contact between fencers can be made as long as it doesn't include force (intentional or not).