Colosseum
[kol-uh-see-uh m] /ˌkɒl əˈsi əm/
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) .
/ˌkɒləˈsɪəm/
noun
1.
a variant spelling of coliseum
/ˌkɒləˈsɪəm/
noun
1.
an amphitheatre in Rome built about 75–80 ad
n.
1560s, Medieval Latin name for the classical Amphitheatrum Flavium (begun c.70 C.E.), noun use of neuter of adjective colosseus “gigantic;” perhaps a reference to the colossal statue of Nero that long stood nearby (see colossus).
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.)
Read Also:
- Colossi
[kuh-los-uh s] /kəˈlɒs əs/ noun, plural colossi [kuh-los-ahy] /kəˈlɒs aɪ/ (Show IPA), colossuses. 1. (initial capital letter) the legendary bronze statue of Helios at Rhodes. Compare . 2. any statue of gigantic size. 3. anything , gigantic, or very powerful. /kəˈlɒsəs/ noun (pl) -si (-saɪ), -suses 1. something very large, esp a statue n. “gigantic […]
- Colossian
[kuh-losh-uh n] /kəˈlɒʃ ən/ noun 1. a native or inhabitant of Colossae. 2. one of the Christians of Colossae, to whom Paul addressed one of his Epistles. adjective 3. of or relating to Colossae or its inhabitants. /kəˈlɒʃən/ noun 1. a native or inhabitant of Colossae 2. (New Testament) any of the Christians of Colossae […]
- Colossians
[kuh-losh-uh nz] /kəˈlɒʃ ənz/ noun, (used with a singular verb) 1. a book of the New Testament, written by Paul. Abbreviation: Col. [kuh-losh-uh n] /kəˈlɒʃ ən/ noun 1. a native or inhabitant of Colossae. 2. one of the Christians of Colossae, to whom Paul addressed one of his Epistles. adjective 3. of or relating to […]
- Colossus
[kuh-los-uh s] /kəˈlɒs əs/ noun, plural colossi [kuh-los-ahy] /kəˈlɒs aɪ/ (Show IPA), colossuses. 1. (initial capital letter) the legendary bronze statue of Helios at Rhodes. Compare . 2. any statue of gigantic size. 3. anything , gigantic, or very powerful. /kəˈlɒsəs/ noun (pl) -si (-saɪ), -suses 1. something very large, esp a statue n. “gigantic […]
- Colossus-of-memnon
[mem-non] /ˈmɛm nɒn/ noun 1. Colossus of, (in ancient Egypt) a colossal statue near Thebes said to produce a musical sound when the rays of the early morning sun struck it. Compare . 2. Classical Mythology. an Ethiopian king slain by Achilles in the Trojan War. noun 1. an ancient Egyptian stone monument near Thebes, […]