In the time of the Roman Empire, a gladiator was a man who had to fight against other men or wild animals in order to entertain an audience
emphasis You can refer to a sports player or a performer as a gladiator in order to emphasize how brave or dangerous their actions are. As the gladiators rolled away from the starting gates, a gasp went up when the Scottish cyclist's left foot clicked out of the pedal. a soldier who fought against other men or wild animals as an entertainment in ancient Rome (gladius ). (Latin; swordsman) Professional combatant in ancient Rome who engaged in fights to the death as sport. Gladiators originally performed at Etruscan funerals, the intent being to give the dead man armed attendants in the next world. At Rome gladiator matches were wildly popular from 264 BC. By the time of Julius Caesar, 300 pairs would fight at a single show; by the time of Trajan, 5,000 combatants of various classes would fight. In the late Roman republic the audience called for death with thumbs downward (or thumbs toward their breasts) and for mercy with handkerchiefs (or thumbs downward, according to some sources). The victor earned palm branches or money, and after a few victories a gladiator could be freed. Most were slaves or criminals, but a talented or handsome one could become a favourite of society; since they often served as bodyguards, they occasionally became politically important. Domitian delighted in using dwarfs and women as gladiators. With the coming of Christianity the games began to fall into disfavour, but they may have continued into the 6th century. See also Spartacus
a person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal
Originally, a swordplayer; hence, one who fought with weapons in public, either on the occasion of a funeral ceremony, or in the arena, for public amusement
{i} armed man who fought people or animals in public shows (in ancient Rome); one who participates in a public fight or controversy; boxer, wrestler
(ancient Rome) a professional combatant or a captive who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat