A Roman army officer commanding a century of soldiers, typically 80-100 men. Also refers to someone who has achieved a score of 100 in various contexts.
Latin 'centurio' from 'centum' meaning hundred, referring to their command of roughly 100 soldiers. The word entered English in the 14th century through Old French, maintaining its military connotations while expanding to other contexts involving the number 100.
Despite the name suggesting command of exactly 100 soldiers, Roman centuries actually varied between 60-100 men depending on the era and circumstances. The centurion's distinctive transverse crest on their helmet helped troops spot them in battle - a practical design that inspired modern military rank insignia!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.