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velites

British  
/ ˈviːlɪˌtiːz /

plural noun

  1. light-armed troops in ancient Rome, drawn from the poorer classes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of velites

C17: from Latin, pl of vēles light-armed foot soldier; related to volāre to fly


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:

You ought to have made your ranks twice as deep, avoided exposing the velites against the phalanx, and given free passage to the elephants.

From Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert

It was the corps of the Roman velites who did them most harm.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 348 by Various

His velites advanced in front of the standards, with the Cretan archers of Attalus, the slingers, and the corps of Trulles and of the Thracians.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 348 by Various

They were the light troops of the grand army of Democracy, the velites who skirmished in front of the legions.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 18, April, 1859 by Various

Ladders had been placed beforehand in this passage against the wall of cliff; and, protected by the windings of the gaps, the velites were able to seize and mount them before being overtaken.

From Salammbo by Gustave Flaubert

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