I. ˈfīt verb
( fought ˈfȯt ; fight·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feohtan; akin to Old High German fehtan to fight and perhaps to Latin pectere to comb — more at pectinate
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to contend in battle or physical combat ; especially : to strive to overcome a person by blows or weapons
b. : to engage in boxing
2. : to put forth a determined effort
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to contend against in or as if in battle or physical combat
(2) : to box against in the ring
b.
(1) : to attempt to prevent the success or effectiveness of
the company fought the takeover attempt
(2) : to oppose the passage or development of
fight a bill in Congress
2.
a. : wage , carry on
fight a battle
b. : to take part in (as a boxing match)
3. : to struggle to endure or surmount
fight a cold
4.
a. : to gain by struggle
fight s his way through
b. : to resolve by struggle
fought out their differences in court
5.
a. : to manage (a ship) in a battle or storm
b. : to cause to struggle or contend
c. : to manage in an unnecessarily rough or awkward manner
•
- fight shy of
II. noun
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a hostile encounter : battle , combat
b. : a boxing match
c. : a verbal disagreement : argument
2. : a struggle for a goal or an objective
a fight for justice
3. : strength or disposition for fighting : pugnacity
still full of fight