Samnite, n. and a.
(ˈsæmnaɪt)
Also 4 sampnite, 7 samnit.
[ad. L. Samnītēs pl. (sing. Samnis); perh. etymologically cognate with Sabine.]
A. n. a. One of a people of ancient Italy, believed to be an offshoot of the Sabines; their territory, called Samnium, was adjacent to Latium.
| 1390 Gower Conf. III. 179 Whan the Sampnites to him broghte A somme of gold [etc.]. 1553 N. Grimalde Cicero's Offices ii. (1556) M vj b, Caius Pontius the Samnite. 1618 Bolton Florus (1636) 45 Then, moved upon the petition of the countrey of Campania, they invaded the Samnits. 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan ii. 224 When the proud Samnites Troops the State defy'd. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. I. 298 The Etruscans and Samnites by turns possessed both. |
b. A type of gladiator.
| 1600 Holland tr. Livy's Romane Hist. ix. 344 The Campaines upon a pride, and inveterate hatred that they bare against the Samnites, used to arme their swordplayers and fensers at the sharpe (which was a solemne sight and pastime they had at their great feasts) with this same attire, and termed them in mockerie, by the name of Samnites. 1957 Encycl. Brit. X. 383/2 The Samnites fought [in gladiatorial contests] with the national weapons—a large oblong shield, a vizor, a plumed helmet and a short sword. 1971 M. Grant Cities of Vesuvius iii. 74/1 Down to the first century BC, ‘gladiator’ and ‘Samnite’ were synonymous terms; and then the latter became the name of a particular type of gladiator. |
c. The language of the Samnites.
| 1859 B. W. Dwight Mod. Philol. i. 187 The Umbro-Samnite Dialects: Umbrian; Samnite or Oscan; Volscian; Marsian. 1882 [see Marsian n. and a.]. |
B. adj. Of or pertaining to the Samnites; in use among the Samnites.
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Shield, The Germans, beside the samnite-shield, have two others pretty much in use. 1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 380/1 The Samnite war. |
Hence Samˈnitic a. [ad. L. Samniticus.]
| 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Shield, The samnitic-shield used by the Romans. 1864 Athenæum 12 Mar. 375/3 Built..on the conclusion of the Samnitic war. |