fisticuffs

/ ˈfɪstɪˌkʌfs /

plural noun

1. combat with the fists

Word History and Origins

Origin of fisticuffs¹

C17: probably from fisty with the fist + _cuff ²

Example Sentences

When villains use it to frame Tony for extorting money from a hospital and threaten Tali’s life, Tony and Ziva are dragged back into a life of running, shooting, reckless driving and fisticuffs.

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When we visited, Mr Singh and his colleagues were preparing the venue for actual, not verbal, fisticuffs - a 300-seat sell out white collar boxing night.

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He engages in fisticuffs when the situation requires it.

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In and out of the lineup down the stretch, Rempe — who didn’t fight much in the junior Western Hockey League known for toughness — wants to prove he can stick around for more than just fisticuffs.

Read more on Seattle Times

But from my perspective, if one of my deputies is getting his butt kicked and it’s a fisticuffs, you have a right to defend yourself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times