Where does “gladiatorial” come from?
Gladiatorial derives from Latin gladiātor, formed from gladius (sword) and the agent suffix -tor, ultimately from Gaulish kladyos and Proto-Indo-European roots for cutting implements.
gladiatorial (English): Of or pertaining to a gladiator
Definitions
- Of or pertaining to a gladiator
Ancestry of “gladiatorial”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | gladiatorius | gladiatorial |
| 2 | Latin | gladiātor | gladiator, swordsman |
| 3 | Latin | gladio | dative singular of gladius; ablative singular of... |
| 4 | Latin | gladius | sword; murder, death; a gladiatorial contest |
| 5 | Gaulish | kladyos | sword |
| 6 | Proto-Celtic | kladiwos | sword |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |