duel
- a prearranged combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons according to an accepted code of procedure, especially to settle a private quarrel.
- any contest between two persons or parties.
- to fight in a duel.
Origin of duel
Related Words for duelling
withstand, confront, resist, rebuff, prevent, refuse, thwart, continue, combat, repel, defy, abide, forgo, maintain, curb, endure, thrust, cross, cope, tolerateExamples from the Web for duelling
Historical Examples of duelling
You have lived so long abroad that duelling seems a natural and proper thing.
In the ValleyHarold Frederic
I had often heard of Mr. Fitzgerald's propensity to duelling.
Beaux and Belles of EnglandMary Robinson
"Your Majesty's ordinance as to duelling is receiving our best attention," he assured me.
The Prisoner of ZendaAnthony Hope
Something really transcendent in the way of duelling was expected.
A Set of SixJoseph Conrad
Something really transcendental in the way of duelling was expected.
The Point Of HonorJoseph Conrad
duel
- 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
- a contest or conflict between two persons or parties
- to fight in a duel
- to contest closely
Word Origin for duel
Word Origin and History for duelling
duel
1590s (from late 13c. in Latin form), from Medieval Latin duellum "combat between two persons," by association with Latin duo "two," but originally from Latin duellum "war," an Old Latin form of bellum (see bellicose). Retained in poetic and archaic language and apparently given a special meaning in Medieval or Late Latin of "one-on-one combat" on fancied connection with duo "two."
duel
1640s, see duel (n.). Related: Dueled; dueling; duelling.