Nearby Words
noun
1.
a hostile encounter or engagement between opposing military forces: the battle of Waterloo.
2.
participation in such hostile encounters or engagements: wounds received in battle.
3.
a fight between two persons or animals: ordering a trial by battle to settle the dispute.
4.
any conflict or struggle: a battle for control of the Senate.
5.
Archaic. a battalion.
verb (used without object)
6.
to engage in battle: ready to battle with the enemy.
7.
to work very hard or struggle; strive: to battle for freedom.
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Battles
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
verb (used with object)
Idiom8.
to fight (a person, army, cause, etc.): We battled strong winds and heavy rains in our small boat.
9.
to force or accomplish by fighting, struggling, etc.: He battled his way to the top of his profession.
10.
give/do battle, to enter into conflict; fight: He was ready to do battle for his beliefs.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English bataile < Old French < Vulgar Latin *battālia for Late Latin battuālia (neuter plural) gladiatorial exercises, equivalent to battu(ere) to strike (see bate2) + -ālia, neuter plural of -ālis -al2
1250–1300; Middle English bataile < Old French < Vulgar Latin *battālia for Late Latin battuālia (neuter plural) gladiatorial exercises, equivalent to battu(ere) to strike (see bate2) + -ālia, neuter plural of -ālis -al2
Related forms
bat·tler, noun
Synonyms
1. contest, conflict, war. Battle, action, skirmish mean a conflict between organized armed forces. A battle is a prolonged and general conflict pursued to a definite decision: the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. A skirmish is a slight engagement, often on the periphery of an area of battle: several minor skirmishes. An action can be a battle or a skirmish or can refer to actual fighting or combat: a major military action; action along the border; He saw action in the campaign. 2. warfare, combat, fighting. 10. conflict. 7. contest.
1. contest, conflict, war. Battle, action, skirmish mean a conflict between organized armed forces. A battle is a prolonged and general conflict pursued to a definite decision: the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. A skirmish is a slight engagement, often on the periphery of an area of battle: several minor skirmishes. An action can be a battle or a skirmish or can refer to actual fighting or combat: a major military action; action along the border; He saw action in the campaign. 2. warfare, combat, fighting. 10. conflict. 7. contest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
verb (used with object), -tled, -tling. Archaic.
to furnish (a building or wall) with battlements; crenelate.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English batailen < Middle French bataillier to provide with batailles. See battlement
1300–50; Middle English batailen < Middle French bataillier to provide with batailles. See battlement
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To battles
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
battle
c.1300, from O.Fr. bataille "battle, single combat," also "inner turmoil, harsh circumstances; army, body of soldiers," from L.L. battualia "exercise of soldiers and gladiators in fighting and fencing," from L. battuere "to beat, to strike" (see batter (v.)). Phrase battle
EXPANDroyal "fight involving several combatants" is from 1670s.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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