sciamachy
[sahy-am-uh-kee]
- an act or instance of fighting a shadow or an imaginary enemy.
Show More
Also sciomachy.
Origin of sciamachy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
sciamachy
sciomachy or skiamachy (skaɪˈæməkɪ)
- rare a fight with an imaginary enemy
Show More
Word Origin
C17: from Greek skiamakhia a mock fight, from skia a shadow + makhesthai to fight
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 sciamachy
n.
"fighting with shadows, shadow-boxing" 1620s, from Greek skiamakhia "shadow-fighting, a sham fight" but perhaps literally "fighting in the shade" (i.e., in school; ancient teachers taught in shaded public places such as porches and groves), from skia "shade, shadow" (see shine (v.)) + makhe "battle" (see -machy).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper