gymnastics (subs.) Copy link Outline 1. pălaestra (Gr. παλαίστρα, lit. wrestling)2. pălaestrĭca (sc. ars) • gymnastics (subs.): 1. pălaestra (Gr. παλαίστρα, lit. wrestling): that it (philosophy) may help (the orator) just as g. does the actor, ut sic adjuvet, ut p. histrionem, Cic. Or. 4, 14: grace-bestowing g., p. decora, Hor. Od. 1, 10, 4: not so well trained in arms as g. (i. e. better in sham than real fighting), non tam armis quam p. institutus, Cic. Br. 9, 37. 2. pălaestrĭca (sc. ars): Quint. 2, 21, 11. Phr.: to give time to g., palaestricis (= p. magistris) vacare, Quint. 1, 11, 15. A master of g., palaestrīta, Cic. Verr. 2, 14, 36: Mart. Phr.: these are the g. of the mind, haec sunt curricula mentis, Cic. Sen. 11, 38.