I. ˈfīt, usu -īd.+V verb
( fought ˈfȯt, usu -ȯd.+V ; or dialect fit ˈfit, usu -id.+V ; or fout ˈfō]t, ˈfau̇], usu ]d.+V ; fought or dialect fit or fought·en ˈfȯt ə n\ ; or fout ; fighting ; fights )
Etymology: Middle English fighten, from Old English feohtan; akin to Old Frisian fiuchta to fight, Old Saxon & Old High German fehtan to fight, Latin pectere to comb — more at fee
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to contend physically for victory with vigor, fierceness, and determination
fought on the ridge until nightfall
: strive to overcome or destroy a person, animal, or thing especially by blows or weapons — often used with against or with
brother fighting against brother
b. : to engage in prizefighting especially as a profession or career : box
2.
a. : to put forth a grim, determined, or dogged effort (as for the achievement of a goal or purpose) — often used with for
fight for freedom
or to
fight to bring about some needed changes
b. of a Salvationist : to war aggressively against evil and for the cause of God
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to contend against in or as if in battle or physical combat especially with determination to cease only upon achieving victory or sustaining defeat
fight the invaders of his homeland
(2) : to box against in the prize ring
fought several strong challengers
b.
(1) : to attempt to prevent the success, fruition, or effectiveness of
the company fought the strike for months
(2) : to oppose the passage, development, or appearance of
the northern senators fought the bill bitterly
fight a bad habit
2.
a. : to carry on : wage
fight a war
fight a battle
b. : to take part in (as a boxing match)
fought a dozen professional matches before he was 20 years old
3.
a. : to struggle with the inconvenience, discomfort, or hardship of
fight a leaky roof all year
b. : to struggle to endure or surmount — used with out
a ship fighting out a storm at sea
4.
a. : to win or gain by struggle
fought his way through the underbrush
b. : to resolve or surmount by struggle — used with out
the two men fought out their differences in court
or down
fought down his fear
5.
a.
(1) : to manage (a ship) in a battle or storm
(2) : to cause to struggle or contend
fight cocks
b. : to handle, treat, or manage in an unnecessarily rough or overly deliberate manner
she always fought the shift and could wear a transmission out in six months
6. : to become unnecessarily or unnaturally difficult for
the minute your work starts fighting you, give up — Marian Corey
Synonyms: see contend , contest
•
- fight shy of
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feoht; akin to Old Frisian fiucht fight, Old High German gifeht; derivative from the root of Old English feohtan to fight
1. archaic : the act of fighting
2.
a. : a hostile encounter between opposing forces or individuals : battle , combat
b. : a boxing match
c. : a verbal disagreement
3. : a struggle to achieve a goal or an objective
an uphill fight for reelection
4. obsolete : a screen put up to protect combatants on a naval vessel
5. : strength or disposition for fighting : pugnacity
he still has a lot of fight in him
Synonyms: see contest