gladiator

[ glad-ee-ey-ter ]
/ ˈglæd iˌeɪ tər /

noun

(in ancient Rome) a person, often a slave or captive, who was armed with a sword or other weapon and compelled to fight to the death in a public arena against another person or a wild animal, for the entertainment of the spectators.
a person who engages in a fight or controversy.
a prizefighter.

Origin of gladiator

1535–45; < Latin gladiātor, equivalent to gladi(us) sword + -ātor -ator

Words nearby gladiator

Example sentences from the Web for gladiator

British Dictionary definitions for gladiator

gladiator
/ (ˈɡlædɪˌeɪtə) /

noun

(in ancient Rome and Etruria) a man trained to fight in arenas to provide entertainment
a person who supports and fights publicly for a cause

Word Origin for gladiator

C16: from Latin: swordsman, from gladius sword