pancratium

[ pan-krey-shee-uhm ]

noun

, plural pan·cra·ti·a [pan-, krey, -shee-, uh].

1. (in ancient Greece) an athletic contest combining wrestling and boxing.

pancratium

/ pænˈkrætɪk; pænˈkreɪʃɪəm /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece) a wrestling and boxing contest

Derived Forms

• pancratic, adjective

Other Words From

• pan·crat·ic [pan-, krat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pancratium¹

1595–1605; < Latin < Greek pankrátion all-power exercise (noun use of neuter adj.), equivalent to pan- pan- + krát ( os ) strength, mastery + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pancratium¹

C17: via Latin from Greek pankration, from pan- + kratos strength

Example Sentences

He threw off his cloak and challenged the fellow to a bout of pancratium; otherwise he would let him feel his stick.

From Project Gutenberg

Among this and other plants a lovely white amaryllis, the Pancratium Maritimum, with a sweet and powerful perfume, springs up.

From Project Gutenberg

Pancratiast, competitor in the pancratium, a combined contest which comprised boxing and wrestling.

From Project Gutenberg

Boxing was introduced now and sometimes the pancratium was used.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pancratium was a contest in which boxing and wrestling were both allowable.

From Project Gutenberg