gladius
[ˈɡɫa.di.ʊs]masculine
Sword in Latin is gladius. If unsure, use gladius. Wiktionary also lists spatha and ēnsis.
Meaning: weapon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gladius | [ˈɡɫa.di.ʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈɡlaː.di.us] (narrow) |
masculine |
| spatha | [ˈspa.tʰa] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈspaː.ta] (narrow) |
feminine |
| ēnsis | masculine | |
| machaera | feminine | |
| mūcrō | masculine | |
| ferrum | [ˈfɛr.rũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈfɛr.rum] (narrow) |
neuter |
gladius is the standard word for a sword, especially the short sword of the Roman legions.
Which one should you use?
spatha is a longer sword, often used by cavalry and in later Roman times. ēnsis is a broader, more poetic word for a sword. ferrum means iron but often stands for the blade or the sword itself. mūcrō is the point of a sword and can also stand for the sword. machaera is another word for a sword.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a direct object it becomes gladium. The ablative gladiō means with or by a sword.
Did you know?
- The word gladius likely comes from a Gaulish word *kladyos, which shares a root with the word for 'break' or 'beat'.
- The word gladius is the root of the English word 'gladiator', referring to the fighters who fought with these swords in the arena.
Examples in context
- Mitte gladium in vaginam.Put the sword into its sheath.gladium is the object form, as in putting the sword into its sheath.
- Urbi ferrō flammāque minitātus est.He threatened the city with fire and sword.ferrō flammāque means with iron and flame, here translated as fire and sword.
- Ubi est gladius tuus?Where is your sword?gladius tuus means your sword.Tatoeba #11086466 by soridsolid, translation #7752768 by shekitten
- In ensibus virtus et honor refulgent.In swords, courage and honor shine forth.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Claudia and Marcus are looking at weapons in a museum.
- ClaudiaVide, Marce, quantus est hic gladius!Look, Marcus, how large this sword is!
- MarcusIta, Claudia, gladius iste valde gravis videtur.Yes, Claudia, that sword seems very heavy.
- ClaudiaQuid hoc ferrum adhibebat miles?What did the soldier use this iron for?
- MarcusGladius erat instrumentum pugnae.The sword was a tool of battle.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sword” translations and entries gladius, spatha, machaera, ferrum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gladius, machaera, spatha, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
