ˈgladēˌād.ə(r), -ātə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, from gladius sword, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cleddyf sword; akin to Latin clades destruction, defeat, Greek klados sprout, twig, branch, Old Slavic kladivo hammer, Greek klan to break — more at halt (lame)
1.
a. : one (as a professional combatant or a captive, slave, or condemned criminal) equipped with some means of attack and defense and pitted against another or against a wild animal in a fight to the death for the entertainment of the public (as in the arena of the ancient Roman amphitheater)
b. : one that opposes another in a usually public controversy : disputant , controversialist
the debates of the House were substantially carried on by some score of chosen gladiators — Christopher Hollis
c. : a trained fighter ; specifically : prizefighter
whether you consider it from his worth as a gladiator or from the point of view of the box office — Gene Tunney
2. obsolete : a professional swordsman