retiarius

[ ree-shee-air-ee-uhs ]

noun

, Roman History.

, plural re·ti·ar·i·i [ree-shee-, air, -ee-ahy, -, air, -ee-ee].

1. a gladiator equipped with a net for casting over his opponent.

retiarius

/ ˌriːtɪˈɛərɪəs; ˌriːʃɪ- /

noun

1. (in ancient Rome) a gladiator armed with a net and trident

Word History and Origins

Origin of retiarius¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin rēte “net” + -i-, connecting vowel + -ārius, noun suffix; rete ( def ), -i- -ary ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of retiarius¹

Latin, from rēte net

Example Sentences

This giant was a supersize retiarius.

From Literature

In his hands were the weapons of a retiarius - a trident and a weighted net.

From Literature

Here, face downward, was a Samnite with his oblong shield; yonder lay a bare headed retiarius with his net and three-pointed lance.

From Project Gutenberg

The Retiarius endeavoured to throw the net over his antagonist, and then to despatch him with the spear.

From Project Gutenberg

Like as not, now, some toe-dancing stripling of a retiarius will entangle me in his net this very afternoon, and no mercy signal has been or will be given this day.

From Project Gutenberg