ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pugilist

n.
US //ˈpjudʒəɫɪst// UK //pjˈuːdʒɪlˌɪst// pugilist
Synonyms
Origin

From Latin pugil (“boxer”) + -ist, related to pugnus (“fist”), from Proto-Indo-European *pewǵ- (“prick, punch”). Compare contemporary pugilism (“boxing”) (1791).

© 2026 English Reference