Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Battle
Bat′tle
,Noun.
1.
A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat.
2.
A struggle; a contest;
as, the
. battle
of lifeThe whole intellectual
battle
that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. H. Morley.
3.
A division of an army; a battalion.
[Obs.]
The king divided his army into three
battles
. Bacon.
The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the
battle
, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. Robertson.
4.
The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia.
[Obs.]
Hayward.
☞
Battle
is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle
brand, a “brand” or sword used in battle; battle
cry; battle
field; battle
ground; battle
array; battle
song. Battle piece
, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle.
– Battle royal
. (a)
A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor.
Grose.
(b)
A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a mêlée.
Thackeray.
– Drawn battle
, one in which neither party gains the victory.
– To give battle
, to attack an enemy.
– To join battle
, to meet the attack; to engage in battle.
– Pitched battle
, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces.
– Wager of battle
. See under
Wager
, Noun.
Syn. – Conflict; encounter; contest; action.
Battle
, Combat
, Fight
, Engagement
. These words agree in denoting a close encounter between contending parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied to the encounter of a few individuals, and more commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A combat is a close encounter, whether between few or many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or intermingled in the conflict. Bat′tle
(băt′t’l)
, Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Battled
(-tl’d)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Battling
.] To join in battle; to contend in fight;
as, to
. battle
over theoriesTo meet in arms, and
battle
in the plain. Prior.
Bat′tle
,Verb.
T.
To assail in battle; to fight.
Webster 1828 Edition
Battle
BAT'TLE
,Noun.
1.
A fight, or encounter between enemies, or opposing armies; an engagement. It is usually applied to armies or large bodies of men; but in popular language, the word is applied to an encounter between small bodies, between individuals, or inferior animals. It is also more generally applied to the encounters of land forces than of ships; the encounters of the latter being called engagements. But battle is applicable to any combat of enemies.2.
A body of forces, or division of an army. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear.
To give battle, is to attack an enemy; to join battle, is properly to meet the attack; but perhaps this distinction is not always observed.
A pitched battle is one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces.
To turn the battle to the gate, is to fight valiantly, and drive the enemy, who hath entered the city, back to the gate. Is.28.
BAT'TLE
,Verb.
I.
BAT'TLE
,Verb.
T.