battle 1
— battler , n.
/bat"l/ , n. , v. , battled, battling .
n.
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.
6. give or do battle , to enter into conflict; fight: He was ready to do battle for his beliefs.
v.i.
7. to engage in battle: ready to battle with the enemy.
8. to work very hard or struggle; strive: to battle for freedom.
v.t.
9. to fight (a person, army, cause, etc.): We battled strong winds and heavy rains in our small boat.
10. to force or accomplish by fighting, struggling, etc.: He battled his way to the top of his profession.
[ 1250-1300; ME bataile battalia for LL battualia (neut. pl.) gladiatorial exercises, equiv. to battu ( ere ) to strike (see BATE 2 ) + -alia, neut. pl. of -ALIS -AL 2 ]
Syn. 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. 6. conflict. 8. contest.
battle 2
/bat"l/ , v.t., battled, battling . Archaic.
to furnish (a building or wall) with battlements; crenelate.
[ 1300-50; ME batailen bataillier to provide with batailles. See BATTLEMENT ]