Today's Word "pentathlon"
Published in Vocabulary
pentathlon \pen-TAHT-lahn\ (noun) - A suite of athletic events introduced into the Olympic Games of 708 BC, involving discus and javelin throws, jumping, running and wrestling. In the current Olympics, it includes shooting, fencing, swimming, riding and running.
"Accepting a job with the company right out of college, Peter was subjected to a pentathlon of mundane tasks and petty jobs before he was given any real responsibility."
Greek pent-os "five" + athl-os "contest, competition, struggle". Pentos also appears in "pentagon" and athl-os in "athlete" and "athletic".
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