duel

¹du·el

noun \ˈdü-əl also ˈdyü-\

Definition of DUEL

1

: a combat between two persons; specifically : a formal combat with weapons fought between two persons in the presence of witnesses

2

: a conflict between antagonistic persons, ideas, or forces; also : a hard-fought contest between two opponents

Examples of DUEL

1. They engaged in a duel of wits.
2. <a duel for the title of captain of the team>

Origin of DUEL

Middle English, from Medieval Latin duellum, from Old Latin, war

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DUEL

Synonyms: ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contention, dogfight, contest, face-off, grapple, match, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tug-of-war, war, warfare

Related Words: horse race, nail-biter; showdown; clash, collision, discord, friction; argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), quarrel, row, wrangle

Near Antonyms: concord, harmony, peace

[+]more[-]hide