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athlete - 4 dictionary results
ath⋅lete
[ath-leet] 
–noun
| a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill. |
Origin:
1520–30; < L āthlēta < Gk āthlēt
s, equiv. to āthlē- (var. s. of āthleîn to contend for a prize, deriv. of âthlos a contest) + -tēs suffix of agency
1520–30; < L āthlēta < Gk āthlēt
s, equiv. to āthlē- (var. s. of āthleîn to contend for a prize, deriv. of âthlos a contest) + -tēs suffix of agencyPronunciation note:
Athlete, athletic, and athletics, normally pronounced [ath-leet] , [ath-let-ik], and [ath-let-iks], are heard frequently with an epenthetic schwa, an intrusive unstressed vowel inserted between the first and second syllables: [ath-uh-leet], [ath-uh-let-ik], and [ath-uh-let-iks]. The pronunciations containing the extra syllable are usually considered nonstandard, in spite of their widespread use on radio and television. Pronunciations with similarly intrusive vowels are also heard, though with less currency, for other words, as [fil-uhm] for film, [el-uhm] for elm, and [ahr-thuh-rahy-tis] for arthritis, rather than the standard [film], [elm], and [ahr-thrahy-tis].
Athlete, athletic, and athletics, normally pronounced
[ath-leet] , [ath-let-ik], and [ath-let-iks], are heard frequently with an epenthetic schwa, an intrusive unstressed vowel inserted between the first and second syllables: [ath-uh-leet], [ath-uh-let-ik], and [ath-uh-let-iks]. The pronunciations containing the extra syllable are usually considered nonstandard, in spite of their widespread use on radio and television. Pronunciations with similarly intrusive vowels are also heard, though with less currency, for other words, as [fil-uhm] for film, [el-uhm] for elm, and [ahr-thuh-rahy-tis] for arthritis, rather than the standard [film], [elm], and [ahr-thrahy-tis].
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To athlete
| ath·lete (āth'lēt') n. A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts. [Middle English, from Latin āthlēta, from Greek āthlētēs, contestant, from āthlein, to contend, possibly from āthlos, contest.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Athlete
Ath"lete\, n. [L. athleta, Gr. ? prizefighter, fr. ? to contend for a prize, ?, Hom. ?, contest, ? prize; fr. the same root as E. wed: cf. F. athl[`e]te.]1. (Antiq.) One who contended for a prize in the public games of ancient Greece or Rome. 2. Any one trained to contend in exercises requiring great physical agility and strength; one who has great activity and strength; a champion. 3. One fitted for, or skilled in, intellectual contests; as, athletes of debate.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : athlete
Spanish:
atleta,
German:
der, *die Athlet(in),
Japanese:
運動選手
athlete
1528, from L. athleta, from Gk. athletes "contestant in the games," agent noun from athlein "to contest for a prize," rel. to athlos "a contest" and athlon "a prize." Before 1750, always in L. form. Replaced O.E. plegmann. First record of athletics is from 1727. Athlete's foot first recorded 1928, for an ailment that has been around much longer.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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