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naumachia

noun
nau·​ma·​chia | \ nȯ-ˈmā-kē-ə How to pronounce naumachia (audio) , -ˈma- How to pronounce naumachia (audio) \
plural naumachiae\ nȯ-​ˈmā-​kē-​ˌē How to pronounce naumachiae (audio) , -​kē-​ˌī , -​ˈma-​ \ or naumachias

Definition of naumachia

1 : an ancient Roman spectacle representing a naval battle
2 : a place for naumachiae

First Known Use of naumachia

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for naumachia

Latin, from Greek, naval battle, from naus ship + machesthai to fight — more at nave

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The first known use of naumachia was in 1596

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