Bat"tle\, n. [OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle, OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators, fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. Battalia, 1st Battel, and see Batter, v. t. ]1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat. 2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life. The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H. Morley. 3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.] The king divided his army into three battles. --Bacon. The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. --Robertson. 4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward. Note: Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a "brand" or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battlearray; battle song. Battle piece, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle. Battle royal. (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor. --Grose. (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a m[^e]l['e]e. --Thackeray. Drawn battle, one in which neither party gains the victory. To give battle, to attack an enemy. To join battle, to meet the attack; to engage in battle. Pitched battle, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces. Wager of battle. See under Wager, n. Syn: Conflict; encounter; contest; action. Usage: Battle, Combat, Fight, Engagement. These words agree in denoting a close encounter between contending parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied to the encounter of a few individuals, and more commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A combat is a close encounter, whether between few or many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or intermingled in the conflict.
Com`pur*ga"tion\, n. [L. compurgatio, fr. compurgare to purify wholly; com- + purgare to make pure. See Purge, v. t.]1. (Law) The act or practice of justifying or confirming a man's veracity by the oath of others; -- called also wager of law. See Purgation; also Wager of law, under Wager. 2. Exculpation by testimony to one's veracity or innocence. He was privileged from his childhood from suspicion of incontinency and needed no compurgation. --Bp. Hacket.
Com"pur*ga`tor\, n. [LL.] One who bears testimony or swears to the veracity or innocence of another. See Purgation; also Wager of law, under Wager. All they who know me . . . will say they have reason in this matter to be my compurgators. --Chillingworth.
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