catflap.org Online Dictionary Query |
3 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Battle \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.
[1913 Webster]
2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.
[1913 Webster]
The whole intellectual battle that had at its center
the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H.
Morley.
[1913 Webster]
3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
The king divided his army into three battles.
--Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the
battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every
action. --Robertson.
[1913 Webster]
4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear;
battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward.
[1913 Webster]
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; battle array; battle song.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Drawn \Drawn\, p. p. & a.
See Draw, v. t. & i.
[1913 Webster]
Drawn butter, butter melter and prepared to be used as a
sort of gravy.
Drawn fowl, an eviscerated fowl.
Drawn game or Drawn battle, one in which neither party
wins; one equally contested.
Drawn fox, one driven from cover. --Shak.
Drawn work, ornamental work made by drawing out threads
from fine cloth, and uniting the cross threads, to form a
pattern.
[1913 Webster]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Battle \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.
Questions or comments about this site? Contact dictionary@catflap.org
Access Stats