I. noun
a hostile meeting between opposing military forces
the battle continued until nightfall
Synonyms: action, engagement
Related Word: brush, clash, encounter, pitched battle, scrimmage, skirmish; assault, attack, onset, onslaught, sortie; combat, conflict, contest, fight; hostilities
II. verb
Synonyms: contend 1, fight, oppugn, tug, war
Related Word: clash, scrimmage; assail, assault, attack, bombard