the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adj. Of or pertaining to gladiators, or to contests or combatants in general.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
Of or pertaining to gladiators or to their combats for the entertainment of the Roman people; performed by gladiators.
Hence—2. Pertaining to combatants in general, as prize-fighters, disputants, etc.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
adj. of or relating to or resembling gladiators or their combat
Word Usage
"A brilliant and brutal near-future SF satire about businessmen who manage wars (backing the side who they think will earn them the most profit if victorious) and climb the corporate ladder by killing off their competition in gladiatorial car duels; reads as if it were written by Harlan Ellison channeling Chuck Palaniuk, and ranks with the best of what either of those two have written."