roman

¹

[ raw-mahn ]

noun

, French.

, plural ro·mans [r, aw-, mahn].

1. a metrical narrative, especially in medieval French literature.
2. a novel.

Roman

²

[ roh-muhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the ancient or modern city of Rome, or to its inhabitants and their customs and culture:

   Roman restaurants.

2. of or relating to the ancient kingdom, republic, and empire whose capital was the city of Rome.
3. of a kind or character regarded as typical of the ancient Romans:

   Roman virtues.

4. (usually lowercase) designating or pertaining to the upright style of printing types most commonly used in modern books, periodicals, etc., of which the main text of this dictionary is an example.
5. of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church.
6. noting, pertaining to, or resembling the architecture of ancient Rome, especially the public and religious architecture, characterized by the employment of massive brick and concrete construction, with such features as the semicircular arch, the dome, and groin and barrel vaults, by the use in interiors of marble and molded stucco revetments, by the elaboration of the Greek orders as purely decorative motifs for the adornment of façades and interiors, and by an overall effect in which simplicity and grandeur of massing is often combined with much elaboration of detailing.
7. written in or pertaining to Roman numerals.

noun

1. a native, inhabitant, or citizen of ancient or modern Rome.
2. the dialect of Italian spoken in Rome.
3. (usually lowercase) roman type or lettering.
4. Disparaging. a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
5. Rare. the Latin language.
6. a male given name.

Roman

¹

/ ˈrəʊmən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Rome or its inhabitants in ancient or modern times
2. of or relating to Roman Catholicism or the Roman Catholic Church
3. denoting, relating to, or having the style of architecture used by the ancient Romans, characterized by large-scale masonry domes, barrel vaults, and semicircular arches

noun

1. a citizen or inhabitant of ancient or modern Rome
2. informal.
   short for Roman Catholic

roman

²

/ ˈrəʊmən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or denoting a vertical style of printing type: the usual form of type for most printed matter Compare italic

noun

1. roman type or print

roman

³

/ rɔmɑ̃ /

noun

1. a metrical narrative in medieval French literature derived from the chansons de geste

Other Words From

• an·ti-Ro·man adjective noun
• non-Ro·man adjective noun
• post-Ro·man adjective
• pre-Ro·man adjective noun
• pro-Ro·man adjective noun
• pseu·do-Ro·man adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman¹

First recorded in 1560–80; from Middle French, French roman; romance ¹( def )

Origin of roman²

before 900; < Latin Rōmānus ( Rome, -an ); replacing Middle English Romain < Old French < Latin, as above; replacing Old English Roman ( e ) < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of roman¹

C16: so called because the style of letters is that used in ancient Roman inscriptions

Idioms and Phrases

see when in Rome do as the Romans do .

Example Sentences

There is no more quotable novel about Hollywood than Carrie Fisher’s roman à clef, “Postcards From the Edge.”

From Los Angeles Times

Thousands of people gathered to dance and dodge amid the bulls as roman candles and bottle rockets showered them with sparks, and spinners nipped at their legs.

From Seattle Times

The seamless overlap between real life and fictional counterparts, and the faithful reproduction of such well-established facts, conveys the author’s intention to offer a crystal clear clé to this roman à clef.

From New York Times

Also please read his “Jarnegan,” a roman à clef about a thug and criminal who comes to Hollywood, and becomes a great director.

From New York Times

But Hollywood’s biggest zeitgeist in years was propelled by a pair of movies without a roman numeral, a Jedi or a superhero in sight.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• font