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gladiator
(glad′ē āt′ər)
noun
- in ancient Rome, a man who fought other men or animals with a sword or other weapon in an arena, for the entertainment of spectators: gladiators were slaves, captives, or paid performers
- any person taking part in a public controversy or fight
Origin: L < gladius, sword, via Celt (as in Welsh cleddyf, sword) < IE base *kel-, to strike > L calamitas
Related Forms:
- gladiatorial adjective
See gladiator in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A person, usually a professional combatant, a captive, or a slave, trained to entertain the public by engaging in mortal combat with another person or a wild animal in the ancient Roman arena.
- A person engaged in a controversy or debate, especially in public; a disputant.
- Sports A professional boxer.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Latin gladiātor
Origin: , from gladius, sword
Origin: , of Celtic origin
.Related Forms:
- gladˌi·a·toˈri·al (-ə-tôrˈē-əl, -tōrˈ-) adjective
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