retiarius

American  

[ree-shee-air-ee-uhs] / ˌri ʃiˈɛər i əs /

noun

Roman History.

• retiarii
  plural

1. a gladiator equipped with a net for casting over his opponent.

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retiarius British  

/ ˌriːtɪˈɛərɪəs, ˌriːʃɪ- /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a gladiator armed with a net and trident

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• retiarii
  plural

Etymology

Origin of retiarius

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin rēte “net” + -i-, connecting vowel + -ārius, noun suffix; see origin at rete ( def. ), -i- -ary ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retiarius retiarii

One speaks of a gladiator in the singular, but we learn from Mr. Sidebottom that there were at least nine different types of gladiator: the murmillo, the thraex, the retiarius, the eques and so on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

In his hands were the weapons of a retiarius - a trident and a weighted net.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

Everybody had recalled or been reminded of her rescue of the retiarius.

From The Unwilling Vestal by Edward Lucas White

They had appreciated his action in making the ropes, and guessed that he meant to use his cloak as a retiarius used his net; there would then be a contest and not a massacre.

From Beric the Briton : a Story of the Roman Invasion by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

These classes, like the Thrax and Myrmillo, were usual antagonists, and had their name from the secutor following the retiarius, who eluded the pursuit until he found an opportunity to throw his net to advantage.

From Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life by T. L. (Thomas Louis) Haines

There will be rare tactics with the retiarii armed with nets.

From Saronia A Romance of Ancient Ephesus by Richard Short

With the exception of the retiarii all wore helmets, and their right arms were covered with armour, the left being protected by the shield.

From Beric the Briton : a Story of the Roman Invasion by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty

They came in divisions of twenty-five, Thracians, Mirmillons, Samnites, Gauls, each nation separately, all heavily armed; and last the retiarii, holding in one hand a net, in the other a trident.

From Quo Vadis: a narrative of the time of Nero by Jeremiah Curtin

Sometimes they faced the wild animals; and at times they even took the trident and the net of the retiarii and tried their skill against the swordsmen.

From Roman Women by Alfred Brittain

If I can ever come away I shall, but I'd not miss this gladiator show, this retiarii swing.

From Greener Than You Think by Ward Moore