battle

Pronunciation: /ˈbætl̩/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
  2. noun an energetic attempt to achieve something
  3. noun an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals); --Thomas Paine

Etymology

From Middle English batel, batell, batelle, batayle, bataylle, borrowed from Old French bataille, from Late Latin battālia, variant of battuālia (“fighting and fencing exercises”) from Latin battuō (“to strike, hit, beat, fight”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from a Gaulish or Proto-Germanic root from Proto-Indo-European *bʰedʰ- (“to stab, dig”), related to Old English beado (“battle”); or possibly from a Proto-Indo-European *bʰew- (“to hit, strike, beat”). Doublet of battalia and battel. Displaced native Old English ġefeoht, beado, camp, and wīg (“battle”), among others.

In classic literature

Synonyms

conflict, fight, engagement

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
military action
Narrower (hyponyms)
pitched battle, armageddon, dogfight, combat, naval battle, assault

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