hoplite

noun

hop·​lite ˈhäp-ˌlīt 

: a heavily armed infantry soldier of ancient Greece

Examples of hoplite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts say the helmet belonged to a hoplite, a kind of ancient Greek foot soldier who wore heavy armor to shield themselves. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025

Armed and dangerous As the envoy made his way to Sparta to deliver the plea for reinforcements, 10,000 hoplites marched to Marathon. — National Geographic, 6 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Greek hoplitēs, from hoplon tool, weapon, from hepein to care for, work at — more at sepulchre

First Known Use

circa 1741, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hoplite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight