duel

du-el · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A prearranged combat between two people with matched weapons, conducted according to agreed-upon rules.

  2. 2.

    A contest or struggle between two parties.

  3. 3.

    To fight a duel with someone.

  4. 4.

    To engage in a contest or struggle.

Forms

plural: duels

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    duel to the death — A fight until one person dies
  • •
    challenge to a duel — To invite someone to formal combat
  • •
    verbal duel — A heated exchange of words

Related words

See also: combat, contest, fight
Synonyms: combat, contest, fight, showdown

Etymology

From Latin duellum, archaic form of bellum ("war"), influenced by duo ("two"). The word originally meant "war" but later specialized to mean combat between two individuals.