biathlon
UK[baɪˈæθlən]US[baɪˈæθlən]
n
A sporting event that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
Morpheme Breakdown
bi
athlon
bi
two
athlon
contest
Etymology
The word 'biathlon' is a modern 20th-century creation, directly assembled from classical components to describe a new winter sport. It combines the Latin prefix 'bi-', meaning 'two', with the Greek noun 'athlon', meaning 'contest'. This hybrid formation follows the pattern of other multi-discipline sports like 'pentathlon' (five contests) and 'decathlon' (ten contests). The literal meaning, "a contest of two events," logically and transparently names the sport's dual components of skiing and shooting.
Analysis
Structure: bi (two) + athlon (contest)
- bi: From Latin 'bi-', meaning 'two'. A prefix indicating duality or two parts.
- athlon: From Greek 'athlon', meaning 'contest' or 'prize'. A combining form denoting a competition.
Examples
She trained rigorously for the winter biathlon, focusing on both endurance skiing and marksmanship.
The biathlon requires athletes to master two very different skillsets: physical stamina and precise shooting under fatigue.
He won a gold medal in the 20-kilometer biathlon at the international games.