hoplite

[ hop-lahyt ]

/ ˈhɒp laɪt /

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noun

a heavily armed foot soldier of ancient Greece.

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Origin of hoplite

1720–30; <Greek hoplī́tēs, equivalent to hópl(on) piece of armor, particularly the large shield + -ītēs-ite¹

OTHER WORDS FROM hoplite

hop·lit·ic

[hop-lit-ik], /hɒpˈlɪt ɪk/, adjective

Words nearby hoplite

Hopkins, Hopkinsianism, Hopkinson, Hopkinsville, Hoples, hoplite, hoplology, hop-o'-my-thumb, Hoppe, hopped-up, hopper

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use hoplite in a sentence

In essence, a hoplite was a citizen-soldier who took up arms to defend or expand the realm of his city-state.
Battle of Marathon: The Decisive Clash That Saved Ancient Greece|Dattatreya Mandal|September 11, 2022|Realm of History
However, at the same time, an upward thrust had less impact or momentum, simply because of its lesser leverage, reach, and defensive posture of the hoplite.
Hoplite: The Remarkable Citizen-Soldier of Ancient Greece|Dattatreya Mandal|August 2, 2022|Realm of History
Of course, unlike the man-at-arms of the late medieval period, the hoplite was first and foremost a citizen-soldier.
Hoplite: The Remarkable Citizen-Soldier of Ancient Greece|Dattatreya Mandal|August 2, 2022|Realm of History
We also know that many hoplites preferred to keep the Corinthian helmets tipped back on their heads during non-combat situations, thereby suggesting the cramped nature of the designs.
Know Your Ancient Greek Helmets: From Attic to Phrygian|Dattatreya Mandal|May 19, 2020|Realm of History

Now Artybios was riding a horse which had been trained to rear up against a hoplite.
The History Of Herodotus|Herodotus
A horseman fully armed is thrusting his spear into the body of his fallen foe,—a hoplite.
With the World's Great Travellers, Volume IV|Various
A horseman fully armed is thrusting his spear into the body of his fallen foe—a hoplite.
Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science, No. 23, February, 1873, Vol. XI. No. 23.|Various
Thirdly, if Draco had instituted a hoplite census, Solon would not have substituted citizenship by birth.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6|Various
She had been early plighted to a young hoplite of Ithaca, named Aulakes.
Niobe, All Smiles|Harry Paulton and Edward A. (Edward Antonio) Paulton

British Dictionary definitions for hoplite

hoplite

/ (ˈhɒplaɪt) /

noun

(in ancient Greece) a heavily armed infantryman

Derived forms of hoplite

hoplitic (hɒpˈlɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for hoplite

C18: from Greek hoplitēs, from hoplon weapon, from hepein to prepare

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