/glad"ee ay'teuhr/ , n.
1. (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.
2. a person who engages in a fight or controversy.
3. a prizefighter.
[ 1535-45; gladiator, equiv. to gladi ( us ) sword + -ator -ATOR ]