SKIRMISH


Meaning of SKIRMISH in English

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.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.