gladiatorial

Variant of gladiator

gladiator definition

gladi·ator (glad′ē āt′ər)

noun

  1. 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
  2. any person taking part in a public controversy or fight

Etymology: L < gladius, sword, via Celt (as in Welsh cleddyf, sword) < IE base *kel-, to strike > L calamitas

Related Forms:

  • gladiatorial glad′i·ato′·rial (glad′ē ə tôr′ē əl) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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