Pugilism
/ˈpjuː.dʒɪ.lɪ.zəm/noun
The practice or sport of boxing.
Did you know?Pugilism comes from Latin pugil, “boxer,” tied to pugnus, “fist,” the same root that powers a whole family of words about striking, fighting, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*peug-
“to strike, hit, or punch”
Latin
Latin
pugnus
“fist”
Latin
Latin
pugil
“a boxer; one who fights with the fist”
Late Latin
Latin
pugilismus
“boxing; the practice of fighting with fists”
18th Century
English
pugilism
“boxing, especially as a sport or art of fighting with the fists”
Modern English
English
pugilism
“the sport or practice of boxing”
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