Meaning & use
pugilist
Last updated
A boxer or fighter, especially one who fights with fists.
See it in a sentence
The old pugilist still trained at the gym every morning despite his age.
Nineteenth-century pugilists fought bare-knuckle matches that could last for hours.
A note on using this word
From Latin 'pugil,' related to 'pugnus' (fist); it is a somewhat formal or old-fashioned synonym for 'boxer,' often used in historical writing.
Words with a similar meaning
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