Dictionary Definition
testa n : protective outer layer of seeds of
flowering plants [syn: episperm, seed coat]
[also: testae (pl)]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
testa- the hard external coating of a seed.
Italian
Verb
testa- Form of Third-person singular present tense, testare
- Form of Second-person singular imperative, testare#Italian|testare
Latin
Noun
testa- earthen pot
Portuguese
Noun
Swedish
Pronunciation
Verb
testa- try. To see if a specific action is possible; also to see if a device works properly.
Extensive Definition
Testa is an Eritrean fighting
technique/martial art
that emphasizes headbutting. Its name comes
from the Italian
testa, meaning head, having been adopted during the colonial
period. Its basis is on real hand-to-hand
combat techniques, although it is often practiced in the open
as a dance. The system as
adapted by Dennis Newsome includes kicks, punches,
and limited grappling,
but the emphasis is on headbutting, with the other
techniques being used mainly to set-up headbutts. It is not unusual
for testa practitioners to use so called "dirty techniques" such as
eye-gouging and
biting, although these
are not taught nor practiced in the open. In traditional Testa,
there is a sole focus on trapping and headbutting. There is no
known historical documentation pertaining to Testa, only techniques
taught from generation to generation.