retiarius

[ree-shee-air-ee-uhs]

noun

Roman History.

plural

retiarii 

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

retiarius

/ ˌriːtɪˈɛərɪəs, ˌriːʃɪ- /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retiarius¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retiarius¹

Latin, from rēte net

Example Sentences

This giant was a supersize retiarius.

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

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Here, face downward, was a Samnite with his oblong shield; yonder lay a bare headed retiarius with his net and three-pointed lance.

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The Retiarius endeavoured to throw the net over his antagonist, and then to despatch him with the spear.

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Like as not, now, some toe-dancing stripling of a retiarius will entangle me in his net this very afternoon, and no mercy signal has been or will be given this day.

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