battle
pronunciation
How to pronounce battle in British English:
UK [ˈbætl]
How to pronounce battle in American English:
US [ˈbætl]
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- Noun:
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
- an energetic attempt to achieve something
- an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
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- Verb:
- battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
Word Origin
- battle
- battle: [13] English acquired battle via Old French bataille and Vulgar Latin *battālia from late Latin battuālia ‘fencing exercises’. This was a derivative of the verb battuere ‘beat’ (source also of English batter and battery), which some have viewed as of Celtic origin, citing Gaulish andabata ‘gladiator’, a possible relative of English bat.Related words include battalion [16], ultimately from Italian battaglione, a derivative of battaglia ‘battle’; battlements [14], from Old French batailler ‘provide with batailles – fortifications or battlements’; and derivatives such as abate, combat, and debate.=> abate, bat, battalion, battery, combat, debate
- battle (n.)
- c. 1300, from Old French bataille "battle, single combat," also "inner turmoil, harsh circumstances; army, body of soldiers," from Late Latin battualia "exercise of soldiers and gladiators in fighting and fencing," from Latin battuere "to beat, to strike" (see batter (v.)). Phrase battle royal "fight involving several combatants" is from 1670s.
- battle (v.)
- early 14c., "to fight," from French batailler (12c.), from bataille (see battle (n.)). Related: Battled; battling.
Example
- 1. Israel fought a desperate battle for survival .
- 2. They are fighting an uphill battle against corruption .
- 3. This seems an odd battle to fight .
- 4. The battle over postal regulation was never going to be easy .
- 5. But laser battle stations are also under consideration .