SKIRMISH


Meaning of SKIRMISH in English

I. ˈskər-mish noun

Etymology: Middle English skyrmissh, alteration (influenced by Anglo-French eskermir to fence (with swords), protect, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scirmen to protect, scirm shield) of skarmuch, from Anglo-French escarmuche, from Old Italian scaramuccia — more at screen

Date: 14th century

1. : a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements

2.

a. : a brisk preliminary verbal conflict

b. : a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties

the debate touched off a skirmish

II. intransitive verb

Date: 14th century

1. : to engage in a skirmish

2. : to search about (as for supplies) : scout around

• skir·mish·er noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.