pancratium
[pan-krey-shee-uh m]
- (in ancient Greece) an athletic contest combining wrestling and boxing.
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Origin of pancratium
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for pancratium
Historical Examples
Boxing was introduced now and sometimes the pancratium was used.
The Historical ChildOscar Chrisman
The Pancratium was a contest in which boxing and wrestling were both allowable.
The Teaching of EpictetusEpictetus
In the Pancratium it is in our power to desist and not to receive blows.
This difference existed between the wrestling and the pancratium of the Olympic games.
He threw off his cloak and challenged the fellow to a bout of pancratium; otherwise he would let him feel his stick.
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4Lucian of Samosata
pancratium
- (in ancient Greece) a wrestling and boxing contest
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Word Origin
C17: via Latin from Greek pankration, from pan- + kratos strength
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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