Ăth'lēte, n.

n. [Fr. athlète, Lat. athleta, Gr. ἀθλητής, prize-fighter, from ἀθλεῖν, to contend for a prize, ἆθλος, Hom. ἄεθλος, contest, ἆθλον, prize.]

1. (Antiq.) One who contended for the prize in the public games. Hence,
2. A contender for victory. “Until she be an athlete bold.” Tennyson.