The practice, culture, or system of gladiatorial combat, or a figurative sense of aggressive competition or conflict.
From 'gladiator' (from Latin 'gladius,' sword) plus '-ism.' Coined in English scholarly contexts to describe both historical Roman practice and modern metaphorical uses.
Modern 'gladiatorism' appears in sports and politics—we unconsciously borrowed the Roman's love of ritualized combat, just now it happens in stadiums and debates rather than arenas.
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