esquivé

Esquivé is the past participle of the French verb esquiver, meaning to dodge, evade, or sidestep. In French, the form is used to describe the act of avoiding an attack, obstacle, or question, and can function within compound tenses (for example, il a esquivé). In sports journalism, esquiver describes a successful move to avoid contact, such as a player who esquive un défenseur or who esquive un coup.

Etymology and variants: The verb esquiver originates in French from the Italian schivare, meaning to dodge, with the sense carried into French through historical contact between the languages. Related forms exist in other Romance languages, but the exact spellings and conjugations differ by language.

Usage and context: In everyday language, esquiver can refer to avoiding literal or figurative obstacles—avoiding a punch, a trap, or a difficult question. In combat or ball sports, it highlights a swift, skillful avoidance rather than a direct confrontation. As a participle, esquivé can also appear as an adjective in some contexts, describing something that has been dodged or avoided.

See also: esquiver, dodge, feint.