duel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people, often accompanied by seconds, in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

   The duel was scheduled for noon the next day.

2. 2
   verb

   fight a duel, as over one's honor or a woman

   In the 19th century, men often dueled over small matters

3. 3
   noun

   Arranged, regular combat between two private persons, often over a matter of honor.

   I have often thought since, how different my fate might have been, had I not fallen in love with Nora at that early age; and had I not flung the wine in Quin’s face, and so brought on the duel.

4. 4
   noun

   Any battle or struggle between two contending persons, forces, groups, or ideas.

   a sniper duel

5. 5
   verb

   To engage in a battle.

   The two dogs were duelling for the bone.

6. 6
   noun

   any struggle between two skillful opponents (individuals or groups)

7. 7
   noun

   Historically, the wager of battle (judicial combat).

Etymology

From Medieval Latin duellum (“fight between two men, duel”), itself from Old Latin duellum (“war, fight”), which survived in Classical Latin as a rare byform of bellum and was later reinterpreted as “duel” by unetymological association with duo (“two”). May have entered English through Middle French duel.