First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1battle
noun, bat·tle often attributive \ˈba-təl\
: a military fight between groups of soldiers, ships, airplanes, etc.
: a violent fight in which people use weapons
: a fight between people or groups in which each side tries to win a contest (such as a game or an election) or to gain control of something (such as a company)
Full Definition of BATTLE
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>
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Origin of BATTLE
Middle English batel, from Anglo-French bataille battle, battalion, from Late Latin battalia combat, alteration of battualia fencing exercises, from Latin battuere to beat
2battle
verb
bat·tledbat·tling \ˈbat-liŋ, ˈba-təl-iŋ\
Definition of BATTLE
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
First Known Use of BATTLE
14th century
3battle
verb
bat·tledbat·tling
Definition of BATTLE
transitive verb
archaic : to fortify with battlements
Origin of BATTLE
Middle English batailen, from Anglo-French bataillier to fortify with battlements, from Old French batailles battlemented tower, probably from plural of bataille battle
First Known Use: 14th century
BATTLING Defined for Kids
1battle
noun bat·tle \ˈba-təl\
Definition of BATTLE for Kids
1
: a fight between armies, warships, or airplanes
2
: a fight between two persons or animals
3
: a long or hard struggle or contest <the battle against hunger>
2battle
verb
bat·tledbat·tling
Definition of BATTLE for Kids
1
: to engage in fighting
2
: to try to stop or defeat <battling a forest fire>
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