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Caudine Forks

American  
[kaw-dahyn] / ˈkɔ daɪn /

plural noun

  1. two mountain passes in S Italy, in the Apennines near Benevento.


Caudine Forks British  
/ ˈkɔːdaɪn /

plural noun

  1. a narrow pass in the Apennines, in S Italy, between Capua and Benevento: scene of the defeat of the Romans by the Samnites (321 bc )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

No demi-gods in England; everyone has to pass through the Caudine Forks of criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

The Romans never saw but one Caudine Forks in their whole history.

From Project Gutenberg

Its hero was L. Papirius Cursor, one of the favorite heroes of Roman tradition, and the avenger of the disgrace of the Caudine Forks, the story of which we have next to tell.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah! happy we of later days, Who 'scape those Caudine Forks of praise!

From Project Gutenberg

The poet had passed under the Caudine Forks; he sang for an army visiting the tomb of its old renown, with arms reversed; and sang not of victory, but of death.

From Project Gutenberg