retiarius

American  

[ree-shee-air-ee-uhs] / ˌri ʃiˈɛər i əs /

noun

Roman History.

plural

retiarii

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

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retiarius British  

/ ˌriːtɪˈɛərɪəs, ˌriːʃɪ- /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of retiarius

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

Example Sentences

One speaks of a gladiator in the singular, but we learn from Mr. Sidebottom that there were at least nine different types of gladiator: the murmillo, the thraex, the retiarius, the eques and so on.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

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

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

I have always been so sorry," she began, "that I was ill the day you climbed over the balustrade of the podium and rescued the retiarius.

From The Unwilling Vestal by White, Edward Lucas

The conquering retiarius withdrew his net, and leaning on his spear, looked to the audience for their judgment.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 6 by Mabie, Hamilton Wright

For instance, he would take his stand in the arena equipped as a secutor, the lanista would have in charge not one retiarius, but ten, or even a dozen.

From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by White, Edward Lucas