ju·jit·su also ju·jut·su or jiu·jit·su or jiu·jut·su
- An art of weaponless self-defense developed in Japan that uses throws, holds, and blows and derives added power from the attacker's own weight and strength. - Dictionary.com

The Gracie family or Gracies, refers to the lineage of Gastão Gracie , a Brazilian politician. Many of the men in Gastão's lineage, both alive and deceased, are well-known martial artists, especially as founders and practitioners of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu with also success in mixed martial arts, vale tudo and submission wrestling.

The Gracie style of Ju-Jitsu is the one of the most well known in martial arts today. The Gracie style was created in the early part of this century by Brazilian Ju-Jitsu pioneer Carlos Gracie, who had a standing challenge that was open to practitioners of all styles, regardless of size, weight or musculature. One of his newspaper ads invited people to come and challenge him...

"IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR FACE BEATEN AND WELL SMASHED, YOUR ASS KICKED, AND YOUR ARMS BROKEN, CONTACT CARLOS GRACIE AT THIS ADDRESS . . . "

-- Brazilian newspaper ad, circa 1920s

This tradition of open challenge has been continued by the Gracie family and their students, and the Gracie style is recognized to be the most effective fighting art in the world, in the ring and on the street, proven by the Gracie family for over 70 years.