What is the origin of the word "athlete"?

Dear cgc130rob,

The modern English word "athlete" derives from the Ancient Latin
"athleta", which was the Latinized form of the Greek noun "athletes".
That means as much as "contestant in the games" or "prizefighter", and
it referred to a person who contended for a prize in the public games
of ancient Greece or Rome.

The Greek noun "athletes" was derived from the verb "athlein" (= to
contest [for a prize]), and is related to "athlos" (= a contest) and
"athlon" (= a prize).


Sources:

Online Etymology Dictionary: Athlete
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=athlete&searchmode=none

University of Chicago: ARTFL Project - Webster Dictionary, 1913
http://machaut.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/WEBSTER.page.sh?PAGE=96


Hope this answers your question!
Regards,
Scriptor

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