The AI-powered English dictionary
plural gladiators
(in ancient Rome) A person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal. examples
(by extension) A disputant in a public controversy or debate. examples
A professional boxer. examples
third-person singular simple present gladiators, present participle gladiatoring, simple past and past participle gladiatored
To fight as entertainment for others. quotations examples
When the dance was done there was the cock-fight, or rather a century of cock-fights, to be reckoned with. For two hundred of these luckless creatures 'gladiatored' bravely, while an appreciative audience held matting up to its chin to keep from being bespattered with blood.
1915, The Atlantic Monthly - Volume 116, page 642
The guards made me fight other prisoners for their own amusement. It was called gladiatoring.
2013 December 4, “What it's like to spend 20 years on death row”, in The Telegraph
To compete in a public contest. quotations examples
I played very well as was evidenced in that I was the only participant in the entire six or seven days of wind gladiatoring who received a standing ovation from the orchestra, no less.
1994, Saxophone Journal - Volume 19, page 32
It's himself gladiatoring on the harmonium.
2019, Ruth Park, A Fence Around the Cuckoo: Text Classics, page 256
To debate or argue. quotations examples
He did his gladiatoring doubtless without malice, and from a purely sporting instinct — even as Mr. Punch gave the provocation.
1895, Athol Mayhew, A Jorum of "Punch" with Those who Helped to Brew it
Quoting the accounts in both Time and Newsweek, they note that though the "defense attorney may have outwitted, outsparred, and even "out gladiatored" (another popular image in the trial coverage) his opponent, but he still lost the case.
1988, Bernard S. Jackson, Law, fact and narrative coherence, page 71
It was all part of the gladiatoring: the true performer would argue each case to the utmost, like a debater or mooter in our own world.
2005, John K. Hale, Milton's Cambridge Latin: Performing in the Genres, 1625-1632
Och! lave off your gladiatoring; sure it's took up I'd be if I did that!
2010, John O'Mahony, R. L. Praeger, The Sunny Side of Ireland, page 71
To act aggressively toward others. quotations examples
Why, thin, Mister Levi Slam, don't you think now that a volley poured into them haythen mosquitos beyant would put a stop to their gladiatoring a little?
1863, The Boy's Yearly Book, page 212
It's the Count von Eisenstein," says he, "that's come over to Eire for protection against the murdering English who are marauding and gladiatoring about Germany and would kill him if they could, but thanks be to God," says my bold McQuirk, "he'll be safe enough here and it'll be a good thing to have a friend of the Irish people living in Kilfenora Castle, though maybe you won't like it."
1946, George A. Birmingham, The Piccadilly Lady, page 70
Have I been gladiatoring about the place, boys? Did I squeeze the wizendy little fella a bit rough like?
1981, Ruth Park, The Frost And The Fire, page 162