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pilum

American  
[pahy-luhm] / ˈpaɪ ləm /

noun

pila plural
  1. a javelin used in ancient Rome by legionaries, consisting of a three-foot-long shaft with an iron head of the same length.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of pilum

From the Latin word pīlum dart, javelin

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.

See Examples For:

Archaeologists say the hiding of the swords and pilum in the cave suggests that the weapons were taken by Judean rebels from Roman soldiers as booty or from the battlefield.

From BBC Sep. 6, 2023

The rare find included a shafted Roman "pilum" spear.

From Reuters Sep. 6, 2023

While on the upper level of the cave, Dr Gayer spotted an extremely well-preserved Roman pilum, or javelin, in a deep, narrow crevice.

From BBC Sep. 6, 2023

The Holy Lance, or Spear of Destiny, was the iron pilum used by the Roman legionnaire Longinus to pierce Christ’s side as he hung on the cross, to see if he had died.

From Salon Mar. 4, 2016

Frank grabbed the shaft of the pilum below its tip, but his hands were shaking.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

She gathered her pila and got ready for her long trek home.

From New York Times Apr. 10, 2022

Kahit Gaano ka pa kayaman o ka elegante sira ang beauty dahil pagpunta mo Lang sa mall pila ka na.

From Time Aug. 7, 2013

This instrument, Des Cartes and others, have made use of, to account for the natural cause and generation of wind; and hence its name, Aeolipile, pila Aeoli, Aeolus's ball.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 14, No. 385, August 15, 1829 by Various

Cortius and Gerlach have sudes, pila praeterea picem sulphure et taedâ mixtam ardentia mittere: but it can scarcely be believed that Sallust wrote picem—taedâ mixtam.

From Conspiracy of Catiline and the Jurgurthine War by Watson, John Selby

When the Alexandrians rushed up, three pila crashed in upon them, and, caught unawares by the little volley, they held back an instant.

From A Friend of Caesar A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C. by Davis, William Stearns

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