velites

British  

/ ˈviːlɪˌtiːz /

plural noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of velites

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

Example Sentences

Hamilcar, it is true, might have lost his velites, only half of whom remained, but he would have sacrificed twenty times as many for the success of such an enterprise.

From Salammbo by Flaubert, Gustave

To avoid infection, the corpses of the velites had been speedily buried; and the position of the graves was no longer visible.

From Salammbo by Flaubert, Gustave

Behind the intervals between them might be seen the cohorts of the velites, and further on the great helmets of the Clinabarians, with steel heads glancing in the sun, cuirasses, plumes, and waving standards.

From Salammbo by Flaubert, Gustave

From that time the Roman cavalry had the superiority; and it was established that there should be velites in the legions.

From The History of Rome, Books 09 to 26 by Livius, Titus

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 Flaubert, Gustave