English word gladiator comes from Proto-Indo-European *kelh₂-, and later Proto-Celtic *kladiwos (Sword.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *kelh₂- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | |
| *kl̥h₂d- | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | |
| *kladiwos | Proto-Celtic (cel-pro) | Sword. |
| *kladyos | Gaulish (cel-gau) | |
| gladius | Latin (lat) | (figuratively) murder, death. (slang) penis. A gladiatorial contest. Sword. Swordfish. |
| gladiator | Latin (lat) | Gladiator, swordsman. |
| gladiator | English (en) | (by extension) A disputant in a public controversy or debate.. (in ancient Rome) A person (professional or slave) who entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat with another, or with a wild animal.. A professional boxer. |