I. ˈba-t ə l noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English batel, from Anglo-French bataille battle, battalion, from Late Latin battalia combat, alteration of battualia fencing exercises, from Latin battuere to beat
Date: 13th century
1. archaic : battalion
2. : a combat between two persons
3. : a general encounter between armies, ships of war, or aircraft
4. : an extended contest, struggle, or controversy
a battle of wits
II. verb
( bat·tled ; bat·tling ˈbat-liŋ, ˈba-t ə l-iŋ)
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to engage in battle : fight
2. : to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources : struggle
transitive verb
1. : to fight or struggle against
2. : to force (as one's way) by battling
• bat·tler -lər, ˈba-t ə l-ər noun
III. transitive verb
( bat·tled ; bat·tling )
Etymology: Middle English batailen, from Anglo-French bataillier to fortify with battlements, from Old French batailles battlemented tower, probably from plural of bataille battle
Date: 14th century
archaic : to fortify with battlements