pentathlon
UK[penˈtæθlən]US[penˈtæθlən]
n
An athletic contest consisting of five different events.
Morpheme Breakdown
penta
athlon
penta
five
athlon
contest
Etymology
The word 'pentathlon' is a direct borrowing from Greek, formed from the elements 'penta-' (five) and '-athlon' (contest). It was revived for the modern Olympic Games to name a multi-discipline athletic event, mirroring the ancient Greek competition which tested the skills considered essential for a soldier of the time. The literal meaning, "a contest of five events", remains perfectly transparent in its modern usage, directly linking the ancient structure to the contemporary sport.
Analysis
Structure: penta (five) + athlon (contest)
- penta: From Greek, meaning "five". A numerical combining form.
- athlon: From Greek, meaning "contest", "prize", or "feat of strength". A noun-forming element.
Examples
The modern pentathlon includes fencing, swimming, horse riding, pistol shooting, and cross-country running.
She trained for years to qualify for the Olympic pentathlon.
The decathlon and pentathlon are considered the ultimate tests of an all-around athlete.