battle

From Wiktionary

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Contents 1 Pronunciation 2 Noun 2.1 Synonyms 2.2 Verb

[change] Pronunciation

• enPR: băt'(ə)l
• IPA: /ˈbæt(ə)l/
• SAMPA: /"b{t(@)l/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[change] Noun

Singular battle

Plural battles

1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the parts of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat.
2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.

   The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H. Morley.

3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.]

   The king divided his army into three battles. --Bacon.

   The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. --Robertson.

4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward.

   Note: Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a ``brand or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battlearray; battle song.

[change] Synonyms

• action
• conflict
• contest
• encounter

[change] Verb

Plain form battle

Third-person singular battles

Past tense battled

Past participle battled

Present participle battling

1. (intransitive) To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories.
2. (transitive) To assail in battle; to fight.