gladiator

[ glad-ee-ey-ter ]
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noun
  1. (in ancient Rome) a person, often a slave or captive, who was armed with a sword or other weapon and compelled to fight to the death in a public arena against another person or a wild animal, for the entertainment of the spectators.

  2. a person who engages in a fight or controversy.

  1. a prizefighter.

Origin of gladiator

1
1535–45; <Latin gladiātor, equivalent to gladi(us) sword + -ātor-ator

Words Nearby gladiator

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How to use gladiator in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gladiator

gladiator

/ (ˈɡlædɪˌeɪtə) /


noun
  1. (in ancient Rome and Etruria) a man trained to fight in arenas to provide entertainment

  2. a person who supports and fights publicly for a cause

Origin of gladiator

1
C16: from Latin: swordsman, from gladius sword

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