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.
Idiom
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
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.
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