roman

¹

[ raw-mahn ]

noun

, French.

, plural ro·mans [r, aw-, mahn].

1. a metrical narrative, especially in medieval French literature.
2. a novel.

Roman

²

[ roh-muhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient or modern city of Rome, or to its inhabitants and their customs and culture:

   Roman restaurants.

2. of or relating to the ancient kingdom, republic, and empire whose capital was the city of Rome.
3. of a kind or character regarded as typical of the ancient Romans:

   Roman virtues.

4. (usually lowercase) designating or pertaining to the upright style of printing types most commonly used in modern books, periodicals, etc., of which the main text of this dictionary is an example.
5. of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
6. noting, pertaining to, or resembling the architecture of ancient Rome, especially the public and religious architecture, characterized by the employment of massive brick and concrete construction, with such features as the semicircular arch, the dome, and groin and barrel vaults, by the use in interiors of marble and molded stucco revetments, by the elaboration of the Greek orders as purely decorative motifs for the adornment of façades and interiors, and by an overall effect in which simplicity and grandeur of massing is often combined with much elaboration of detailing.
7. written in or pertaining to Roman numerals.

noun

1. a native, inhabitant, or citizen of ancient or modern Rome.
2. the dialect of Italian spoken in Rome.
3. (usually lowercase) roman type or lettering.
4. Disparaging. a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
5. Rare. the Latin language.
6. a male given name.

Roman

¹

/ ˈrəʊmən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Rome or its inhabitants in ancient or modern times
2. of or relating to Roman Catholicism or the Roman Catholic Church
3. denoting, relating to, or having the style of architecture used by the ancient Romans, characterized by large-scale masonry domes, barrel vaults, and semicircular arches

noun

1. a citizen or inhabitant of ancient or modern Rome
2. See Roman Catholic
   informal.
   short for Roman Catholic

roman

²

/ rɔmɑ̃ /

noun

1. a metrical narrative in medieval French literature derived from the chansons de geste

roman

³

/ ˈrəʊmən /

adjective

1. See italic
   of, relating to, or denoting a vertical style of printing type: the usual form of type for most printed matter Compare italic

noun

1. roman type or print

Other Words From

• an·ti-Ro·man adjective noun
• non-Ro·man adjective noun
• post-Ro·man adjective
• pre-Ro·man adjective noun
• pro-Ro·man adjective noun
• pseu·do-Ro·man adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman¹

First recorded in 1560–80; from Middle French, French roman; romance ¹( def )

Origin of roman²

before 900; < Latin Rōmānus ( Rome, -an ); replacing Middle English Romain < Old French < Latin, as above; replacing Old English Roman ( e ) < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman¹

C16: so called because the style of letters is that used in ancient Roman inscriptions

Idioms and Phrases

see when in Rome do as the Romans do .

Example Sentences

Trade could move through all the Roman territories because of the security it offered.

From Nautilus

Recently, he and other scientists calculated how many floating planets the Roman telescope might find.

From Science News For Students

“We weren’t surprised there were microearthquakes,” says Roman, considering one of the volcanoes, Mount Cleveland, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutians.

From Science News

In either 196 or 199, the Roman emperor Septimus Severus visited the site and heard nothing.

From Popular-Science

Truth is my kids are as much Irish-American as they are Roman.

From Fortune

His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world.

From The Daily Beast

In a tiny, remote Chinese village, an ancient Roman bloodline may live on.

From The Daily Beast

One green-eyed man, nicknamed “Cai the Roman,” became an instant celebrity due to his decidedly Roman physical characteristics.

From The Daily Beast

The story (and some DNA evidence) goes, the locals are the descendants of a band of Roman soldiers from 36 B.C.

From The Daily Beast

But so far, the lack of proven Roman artifacts or ruins in the town has raised suspicions.

From The Daily Beast

Roman Pane who accompanied Columbus on his second voyage alludes to another method of using the herb.

From Project Gutenberg

The last-named building remained in the possession of the Unitarians until 1861, when it was sold to the Roman Catholics.

From Project Gutenberg

You will not soon be called upon to act a Roman part between your father and your friend!

From Project Gutenberg

There are very few foreign journals taken or read in the Roman States.

From Project Gutenberg

Our voluntary service regulars are the last descendants of those rulers of the ancient world, the Roman Legionaries.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• font