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

Rahman grew up in his mother's political orbit as she went on to become the country's first female prime minister, alternating power with Hasina in a long and bitter duel.

From Barron's

At the end of the six Grand Prix events of the season, they qualified for the final, where they faced Chock and Bates for the first time in a highly-anticipated duel.

From Barron's

Teams have deliberately looked to play long against Liverpool, which has also introduced more end-to-end running and duelling.

From BBC

Conserving his energy and making the most of his actions is a theme that continues into his duelling statistics under Carrick.

From BBC

"That first half we weren't good enough individually and our duels were off and it gave us huge problems."

From Barron's

Related Words

• bout
• shootout