duel

[ doo-uhl, dyoo- ]

noun

1. a prearranged combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons according to an accepted code of procedure, especially to settle a private quarrel.
2. any contest between two persons or parties.

verb (used with or without object)

, du·eled, du·el·ing or (especially British) du·elled, du·el·ling.

1. to fight in a duel.

duel

/ ˈdjuːəl /

noun

1. a prearranged combat with deadly weapons between two people following a formal procedure in the presence of seconds and traditionally fought until one party was wounded or killed, usually to settle a quarrel involving a point of honour
2. a contest or conflict between two persons or parties

verb

1. to fight in a duel
2. to contest closely

Derived Forms

• ˈdueller, noun

Other Words From

• duel·istic especially British, duel·listic adjective
• outduel verb (used with object) outdueled outdueling or (especially British) outduelled outduelling

Word History and Origins

Origin of duel¹

1585–95; earlier duell < Medieval Latin duellum, Latin: earlier form of bellum war, probably maintained and given sense “duel” by association with Latin duo two

Word History and Origins

Origin of duel¹

C15: from Medieval Latin duellum, from Latin, poetical variant of bellum war; associated by folk etymology with Latin duo two

Example Sentences

It was during his attempts to decrease the size of the military budget that he called none other than the Minister President of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck, a liar, resulting in the sausage duel.

From Nautilus

This week, the two sides battled it out in a heated duel in one of the most prestigious science journals, Nature.

From Singularity Hub 

There was hope that, if the stars aligned, we could see a duel between Kipchoge and Bekele with both men at their best.

From Outside Online

What the researchers pieced together is that this seemingly harmonious partnership evolved through a duel at the cellular and genetic levels, one that left the ant eggs largely unviable on their own.

From Quanta Magazine

For example, a section in the Kentucky Constitution requires all public officials swear they have never participated in a duel.

From Voice of San Diego

It was a duel on a larger scale, with all the uncertainty and danger that implied.

From The Daily Beast

That, then, makes this, for the third year running, duel between Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Amy Poehler.

From The Daily Beast

It is people like the al Wakeel family who pay the harshest price for this military duel.

From The Daily Beast

Argentina and Belgium, earlier in the day, had fought out a fascinating duel, not unlike chess on turf.

From The Daily Beast

Drake has been following the case on behalf of Fahmy, who is duel Canadian-Egyptian national.

From The Daily Beast

"But I don't quite see that," persisted Spunyarn, strong in his idea that the man who fights a duel is a fool.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as Michael made sure of the duel, he saw his confidential clerk.

From Project Gutenberg

Button Gwinnett, one of the signers, died of a wound received in a duel.

From Project Gutenberg

On the Sunday afternoon the conversation turned on the recent duel at Rome.

From Project Gutenberg

But the young nobleman provoked Du Bousquier into a duel where the latter dangerously wounded him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bout
• shootout