Colosseum
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əˈsi noun
1.
an ancient amphitheater in Rome, begun a.d. c70 by Vespasian, having the form of an oval 617 by 512 feet (188 by 156 meters).
2.
(lowercase) coliseum.
Origin:
< Latin, noun use of neuter of colossēus gigantic < Greek kolossiaîos, equivalent to koloss(ós) colossus + -iaios adj. suffix
< Latin, noun use of neuter of colossēus gigantic < Greek kolossiaîos, equivalent to koloss(ós) colossus + -iaios adj. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To Colosseum
Collins
World English Dictionary
coliseum or colosseum (ˌkɒlɪˈsɪəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| a large building, such as a stadium or theatre, used for entertainments, sports, etc | |
| [C18: from Medieval Latin Colisseum, variant of | |
| colosseum or colosseum | |
| —n | |
| [C18: from Medieval Latin Colisseum, variant of | |
00:10
Colosseum
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| colosseum (ˌkɒləˈsɪəm) | |
| —n | |
| a variant spelling of coliseum | |
| Colosseum (ˌkɒləˈsɪəm) | |
| —n | |
| an amphitheatre in Rome built about 75--80 | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
Colosseum
Medieval L. name for the classical Amphitheatrum Flavium (begun c.70 C.E.), lit. neut. of adj. colosseus "gigantic;" perhaps a ref. to the colossal statue of Nero that long stood nearby (see colossus)
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
Colosseum definition
A great arena of ancient Rome, which seated fifty thousand. It is in ruins today, but its former glory can still be imagined.
Note: Some of the contests staged in the Colosseum were between gladiators, who fought with swords; some were between people and animals. The arena could even be flooded for mock sea battles.
Note: According to tradition, persecuted Christians were fed to lions in the Colosseum for the entertainment of the Romans. (See also bread and circuses.)
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Nearby Words
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