skir ‧ mish /ˈskɜːmɪʃ $ ˈskɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: escaramouche , from Old Italian scaramuccia ]
1 . a fight between small groups of soldiers, ships etc, especially one that happens away from the main part of a battle – used in news reports
skirmish with/between/over
The young soldier was killed in a skirmish with government troops.
2 . a short argument, especially between political or sports opponents
skirmish with/between/over
Bates was sent off after a skirmish with the referee.
a budget skirmish between the President and Congress
—skirmish verb [intransitive] :
They skirmished briefly with soldiers from Fort Benton.