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Roman

noun (1)
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Ro·​man | \ ˈrō-mən How to pronounce Roman (audio) \

Definition of Roman

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a native or resident of Rome
b : a citizen of ancient Rome or of the Roman Empire
2 often offensive : roman catholic
3 not capitalized : roman letters or type

Roman

adjective

Definition of Roman (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome specifically : characteristic of the ancient Romans Roman fortitude
2a : latin sense 1a
b : of or relating to the Latin alphabet
3 not capitalized : of or relating to a type style with upright characters — compare italic
4 : of or relating to the see of Rome or the Roman Catholic Church
5 : having a semicircular intrados Roman arch
6 : having a prominent slightly aquiline bridge a Roman nose

roman

noun (2)
ro·​man | \ rō-ˈmäⁿ How to pronounce roman (audio) \

Definition of roman (Entry 3 of 3)

: a metrical romance

Examples of Roman in a Sentence

Noun (1) The type should be set in roman.

First Known Use of Roman

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1765, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for Roman

Noun (1)

partly from Middle English, from Old English, from Latin Romanus, adjective & noun, from Roma Rome; partly from Middle English Romain, from Anglo-French, from Latin Romanus

Noun (2)

French, from Old French romans romance

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Time Traveler for Roman

Time Traveler

The first known use of Roman was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Roman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Roman. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for Roman

Roman

noun
How to pronounce roman (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of Roman

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a person born, raised, or living in Rome
: a citizen of the ancient Roman Empire
: letters, numbers, etc., that stand upright instead of slanting : roman type

Roman

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of Roman (Entry 2 of 2)

: of or relating to Rome or the people of Rome
: of or relating to the ancient Roman Empire
: having letters, numbers, etc., that stand upright instead of slanting

See the full definition for Roman in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Roman

noun
Ro·​man | \ ˈrō-mən How to pronounce Roman (audio) \

Kids Definition of Roman

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a person born or living in Rome
2 : a citizen of an ancient empire centered on Rome
3 not capitalized : upright letters or type

Roman

adjective

Kids Definition of Roman (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : of or relating to Rome or the Romans
2 not capitalized : of or relating to a type style with upright characters (as in “these letters”)

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More from Merriam-Webster on Roman

Nglish: Translation of Roman for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of Roman for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Roman

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