gymnastics

noun

Etymology: From gymnastic: see -ics; from Latin gymnasticus, from Ancient Greek γυμναστικός (gumnastikós), from γυμναστής (gumnastḗs, “athlete, gymnast”), from γῠμνᾰ́ζω (gŭmnắzō, “to train, exercise”), from γυμνός (gumnós, “naked”), because Greek athletes trained naked. By surface analysis, gymnast + -ics.

1. A sport involving the performance of sequences of movements requiring physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic awareness.

   “Gymnastics was a significant part of the physical education curriculum.”

2. Complex intellectual or artistic exercises or feats of physical agility.

   “His mental gymnastics are legendary.”

   “[…] something undoubtedly caused Mr. Joolby to stumble back and he floundered into the arms—and incidentally upon the toes—of his fellow conspirators. That was the moment chosen for the room to be blacked completely out […] "What the hell's happened?" shouted Nickle—the first to find his voice because he was the least involved in the gymnastics.”