fisticuff

[fis-ti-kuhf]

See more synonyms for fisticuff on Thesaurus.com

noun

a cuff or blow with the fist.
fisticuffs, combat with the fists.

verb (used with or without object)

to strike or fight with the fists.

Origin of fisticuff

1595–1605; earlier fisty cuff. See fist¹, -y¹, cuff²

Related formsfist·i·cuff·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for fisticuffs

boxing, encounter, fight

Examples from the Web for fisticuffs

Contemporary Examples of fisticuffs

If you had an argument with man that escalated to fisticuffs you set your weapons aside.
'Let's Talk About Guns' Live Chat Transcript
David Frum
January 25, 2013

Historical Examples of fisticuffs

His friends had been driven out of Washington or had taken to fisticuffs.
The Education of Henry Adams
Henry Adams
He engaged it wildly at fisticuffs; pounded it upon the countenance and drove it away.
Ramsey Milholland
Booth Tarkington
David had to smile at the idea of the Mayor and Mr. Chambers engaged in fisticuffs.
To Him That Hath
Leroy Scott
It isn't the first time that he has had a fisticuffs with a member of this family.
A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays
Amy E. Blanchard
Present society is everywhere at fisticuffs with its own development.
Woman under socialism
August Bebel

British Dictionary definitions for fisticuffs

fisticuffs

pl n

combat with the fists

Word Origin for fisticuffs

C17: probably from fisty with the fist + cuff ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fisticuffs

c.1600, from fist (n.) + cuff, perhaps in imitation of handiwork. Related: Fisticuff.