Lexicon

The process of acquiring a superior tactical relation — by measure, line, body, and sword — before the final hit. "Acquiring" is the phase before striking, not a static position.

A deliberate apparent opportunity given to induce the opponent to attack, so you can strike him in his commitment. Johnson keeps the French-looking label "appel," but the concept is an intentional invitation.

Generic attack. Fabris insists every blow has a counter except the one delivered in true time and measure.

The cloak used with the sword as a companion defensive-offensive tool. In Fabris it is not theatrical; it is a structured adjunct weapon.

To free the point from the opponent's attempt to find, engage, or beat the blade by changing line. Defined by timing, not merely by blade shape.

A deliberate opening or provocative presentation intended to draw a predictable attack. Best treated as the Italian counterpart of the "appel" idea.

To bring your sword into relation with the opponent's sword in a controlling way. A blade-governing action, not simple contact.

The coordinated relation of sword and secondary weapon, especially sword and dagger, so there is no open path between them.

One of Fabris' backbone ideas: arranging body and sword so the enemy's direct line is denied while your own weapon is better placed to defend and offend.

Acting against the opponent's offered or intended time. Inseparable from the analysis of true time, false time, and feigned time.

The weaker part of the sword, typically farther from the hilt. Fabris repeatedly reasons from the danger of having your weak found by the opponent's strong.

The two principal lateral relations to the opponent's sword. Many line choices, parries, and thrusts depend on whether an action is inside or outside.

Fabris' generic verb for landing the attack. The crucial point is the conditions: true measure, true time, superior line, and often parry-and-hit in one tempo.

At close measure, if your point is already near the opponent and his weapons are too remote to control your blade except on the strong, you may strike without waiting for a conventional offered tempo.

The stronger part of the sword nearer the hand, used to oppose, parry, and safely govern the enemy's blade.

A functional sword-and-body position from which actions are made. In Fabris, a guard is not just a pose; it is a tactical disposition of point, line, and body.

To secure a superior relation over the opponent's sword. Closely related to trovare la spada and commettere di spada, though "gain" emphasizes acquiring advantage.

Effective tactical distance. In Fabris, time is inseparable from measure; whether a movement is punishable depends on where the bodies and points already are.

Longer distance where one is still outside the closest hitting relation. Actions from here are treated differently because the body has farther to travel.

Close striking distance. At this measure even very small motions can become actionable times, and under the right conditions one may strike without waiting.

Unite defense and offense in one action so the opponent does not recover initiative between them. A constant Fabris preference.

To carry the body through with a passing step, often to get beyond the opponent's point or support a deep thrust. Fabris' passing actions are often tied to low body structure and line security.

Move the body past the line of danger while hitting or parrying. One of the practical expressions of Fabris' low, penetrating style.

The direct threatening relation of the point to the body; to be out of presence is to have removed yourself from that direct danger. One of Fabris' most important technical abstractions.

The rapier point as both weapon element and mode of attack. Fabris' system is strongly thrust-centric.

After your first disengagement is answered, you disengage again to recover the line and strike.

Fabris' advanced doctrine of proceeding assertively once the tactical relation is understood. Not recklessness; disciplined initiative based on body, sword, and steps.

To retreat out of measure. Fabris notes that some motions at close measure are punishable unless the opponent is already breaking distance in time.

A target made available by the opponent's position or motion. An opening only matters if it can be reached in true time and measure.

The opponent's movement within effective measure that can be exploited. Fabris' chapter explicitly distinguishes good time, false time, feigned time, and counter-time.

A real and exploitable tempo in which your action will land before the opponent can recover or defend effectively.

An apparent opportunity that is not truly safe or exploitable because measure, line, or the opponent's intention makes it deceptive.

A false opportunity deliberately offered to lure the opponent into acting so that he may be taken in counter-time.

One of the most important Fabris phrases: bringing your weapon into a correct and advantageous relation against the opponent's sword so his line is controlled and yours is preserved. Not merely touching the blade.

The favorable tactical state created by superior relation of line, measure, body, steps, and sword. Fabris' resolution doctrine is explicitly founded on advantage.