single combat
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of single combat
First recorded in 1600–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The single combat involves swinging a conker -- a hardened horse chestnut -- on a string at your opponent's nut with murderous venom, until one is smashed to pieces.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2025
The Leopold was the first destroyer-escort lost in WWII, and it was the worst loss of life in a single combat action in Coast Guard history.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 2020
While it’s fun to harp on individual matchups, bouts of single combat rarely tell the whole story.
From Slate ● Mar. 23, 2019
In single combat, two armies confront each other in the battlefield.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2016
Finally Turnus and Aeneas meet in single combat.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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