[uh-ree-nuh] 
| 1. | the oval space in the center of a Roman amphitheater for gladiatorial combats or other performances. |
| 2. | a central stage, ring, area, or the like, used for sports or other forms of entertainment, surrounded by seats for spectators: a boxing arena; a circus arena. |
| 3. | a building housing an arena. |
| 4. | a field of conflict, activity, or endeavor: the arena of politics. |
| a·re·na (ə-rē'nə) n.
[Latin harēna, arēna, sand, a sand-strewn place of combat in an amphitheater, perhaps of Etruscan origin.] Word History: Fans watching contact sports such as boxing, hockey, or football in modern arenas might be struck by the connection between the word arena and the notion of gladiatorial combat. This word is from Latin harēna (also spelled arēna), "sand." Harēna then came to mean the part of a Roman amphitheater that was covered with sand to absorb the blood spilled by the combatants. Arena is first recorded in English during the 17th century, denoting this area of a Roman amphitheater. |
