First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1duel
noun du·el \ˈdü-əl also ˈdyü-\
: a fight between two people that includes the use of weapons (such as guns or swords) and that usually happens while other people watch
: a situation in which two people or groups argue or compete with each other
Full 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
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See duel defined for kids
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Origin of DUEL
Middle English, from Medieval Latin duellum, from Old Latin, war
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
2duel
verb
: to fight with someone using weapons (such as guns or swords) while other people watch
: to compete or argue with someone
du·eled or du·elleddu·el·ing or du·el·ling
Full Definition of DUEL
intransitive verb
: to fight a duel
transitive verb
: to encounter (an opponent) in a duel
— du·el·er or du·el·ler noun
— du·el·ist or du·el·list \ˈdü-ə-list\ noun
See duel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of DUEL
circa 1645
DUEL Defined for Kids
1duel
noun du·el \ˈdü-əl, ˈdyü-\
Definition of DUEL for Kids
1
: a fight between two persons especially that is fought by agreement with weapons in front of other people
2
: a contest between two opponents <The ball game turned into a pitching duel.>
2duel
verb
du·eled or du·elleddu·el·ing or du·el·ling
Definition of DUEL for Kids
: to take part in an agreed-upon fight with weapons
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