From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
gladiator
n 1: (ancient Rome) a professional combatant or a captive who
entertained the public by engaging in mortal combat
2: a professional boxer [syn: prizefighter]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Gladiator \Glad"i*a`tor\, n. [L., fr. gladius sword. See
Glaive.]
1. Originally, a swordplayer; hence, one who fought with
weapons in public, either on the occasion of a funeral
ceremony, or in the arena, for public amusement.
[1913 Webster]
2. One who engages in any fierce combat or controversy.
Gladiatorial