n. & v.
--n.
1. a prolonged fight between large organized armed forces.
2 a contest; a prolonged or difficult struggle (life is a constant battle; a battle of wits).
--v.
1. intr. struggle; fight persistently (battled against the elements; battled for women's rights).
2 tr. fight (one's way etc.).
3 tr. US engage in battle with.
Phrases and idioms:
battle-cruiser hist. a heavy-gunned ship faster and more lightly armoured than a battleship. battle-cry a cry or slogan of participants in a battle or contest. battle fatigue combat fatigue. battle royal
1. a battle in which several combatants or all available forces engage; a free fight.
2 a heated argument. half the battle the key to the success of an undertaking.
Derivatives:
battler n.
Etymology: ME f. OF bataille ult. f. LL battualia gladiatorial exercises f. L battuere beat