noun
gladiator
GLAD-ee-ay-ter/ˈɡlædieɪtər/
A fighter who battled people or animals for public entertainment in ancient Rome.
Each gladiator faces an armed opponent on the sand before the watching crowd.
Etymology
The sword root identifies the gladiator as a swordsman. In Roman public games, that designation referred to a fighter whose combat provided entertainment.
In context
gladiator comes from the name for the sword this is a Gladius every Gladiator takes their name from the the primary weapon that they use Gladiators have always pulled in the crowds
More examples
- Some gladiators fought wild animals before large crowds.
- The museum displays a helmet once worn by a gladiator.
- Roman gladiators trained with different weapons for their contests.
Forms
gladiator · gladiators
gladiatorial adjective — relating to gladiators or their contests
Similar words
- fighter
- A broader term, not limited to public combat in ancient Rome.
- swordsman
- Specifies skill with a sword, not participation in Roman games.