n. 1. (used with a pl. verb) Gymnastic exercises designed to develop muscular tone and promote physical well-being: Sit-ups, trunk twists, and other calisthenics are demonstrated on the video. 2. (used with a sing. verb) The practice or art of such exercises: Calisthenics is recommended to relax the muscles before a run. [From Greek kalli-, beautiful (from kallos, beauty) + sthenos, strength; see segh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] cal′is·thenic adj. |
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