Caudine Forks

American  

[kaw-dahyn] / ˈkɔ daɪn /

plural noun

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

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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 )

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Example Sentences

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

The Samnites had not forgotten a former Pontius, who had sent a Roman army under the Caudine Forks, and had been cruelly murdered in the Capitol They thundered on the Colline Gate.

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