duel

American  

[doo-uhl, dyoo-] / ˈdu əl, ˈdyu- /

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

dueled, dueling, duelled, duelling

1. to fight in a duel.

duel British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to fight in a duel

2. to contest closely

Other Word Forms

• duelistic adjective
• dueller noun
• outduel verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of duel

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

Example Sentences

But winning duels, winning second balls, coming back together, that to me means the most.

From BBC

They stare at each other, a silent duel, like I’m not even there.

From Literature

For hours on a crisp, blue-sky day, kite flyers mingled with sign-wavers, sharing space on the National Mall as they pursued their dueling missions.

From Barron's

Soon after Disney pulled the plug, Paul and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares a son, released duelling statements with fresh allegations about their turbulent relationship.

From BBC

By the time Gabriel headed the ball back across goal, Sanchez was unbalanced from his duel with Saliba and Santos, and Arsenal's two central defenders combined to finish the move.

From BBC

Related Words

• bout
• shootout