Gladiator

Quick meaning: Gladiator is a noun meaning (Ancient Rome) A person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal.

Meaning

(Ancient Rome) A person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal.

More Meanings

1. (by extension) A disputant in a public controversy or debate.
2. A professional boxer.
3. To fight as entertainment for others.
4. To compete in a public contest.
5. To debate or argue.
6. To act aggressively toward others.
7. Synonym of heelwalker (“Any of the order Mantophasmatodea of carnivorous, wingless insects that superficially resemble a cross between praying mantises and phasmids.”).

Example Sentences

It's himself gladiatoring on the harmonium.

The guards made me fight other prisoners for their own amusement. It was called gladiatoring.

My mother prepared herself for the evening with the same somber deliberateness of the gladiators in Spartacus.

He did his gladiatoring doubtless without malice, and from a purely sporting instinct — even as Mr. Punch gave the provocation.

Word Forms

• gladiators
• gladiatour
• gladiatoring
• gladiatored

Synonyms for gladiator

Depending on context, synonyms include heelwalker, prizefighter.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include prizefighter, man, lanista, swordplayer, agonistarch, grappler.

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