Pronunciation: [vˈɛla͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "velite" is commonly spelled with a "v" at the beginning despite the fact that it is pronounced with a "w" sound due to its Latin origin. To be more precise, the phonetic transcription of "velite" is /'wɛlɪt/ where the first sound is the labio-velar approximant or "w" sound. It's important to note that many English words have Latin roots, and pronunciation can be tricky if we rely solely on the English spelling.
Velite refers to a type of Roman soldier who served as a lightly armed infantryman. Derived from the Latin term "velites," meaning "volunteer," velite soldiers were part of the early Roman Republic's army and were generally young men of humble origins. These volunteers would offer their services to fight in the army, supplemented by wealthier citizens who comprised the rest of the Roman military forces.
Velites were known for their agility and speed, being equipped with light armor and carrying a small round shield called a parma and several short throwing javelins known as verutum. They would often function as skirmishers, operating on the front lines before the main infantry units engaged in combat. Due to their lack of heavy armor and reliance on hit-and-run tactics, velites were particularly effective against slower, heavily armed enemies.
In battle, velites played a crucial role by disrupting the enemy formations, using their quick movement and javelin-throwing skills to cause confusion and weaken enemy ranks. Once the enemy ranks were in disarray, the main infantry units of the Roman army could exploit the advantage and engage in close combat.
Over time, the role of the velites diminished as the Roman army evolved and incorporated new military strategies. However, their significance in the early republican period cannot be understated, as they provided valuable support to the Roman legions and shaped the development of Roman warfare.
The word "velite" is derived from the Latin word "veles", which means "lightning" or "flying". In ancient Rome, velites were a class of soldiers who served as light infantry in the Roman army. They were known for their quick movements and agility on the battlefield. The term "velite" was later adopted into other languages, including English, to refer to these particular soldiers.
