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Definition of Skirmish
1. Verb. Engage in a skirmish.
2. Noun. A minor short-term fight.
Specialized synonyms: Contretemps
Generic synonyms: Combat, Fight, Fighting, Scrap
Derivative terms: Encounter
Definition of Skirmish
1. v. i. To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.
2. n. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.
Definition of Skirmish
1. Noun. (military) A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war. ¹
2. Noun. (figuratively) By extension, any minor dispute. ¹
3. Noun. A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons. ¹
4. Verb. To engage in a minor battle or dispute ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Skirmish
1. to engage in a minor battle [v -ED, -ING, -ES]
Lexicographical Neighbors of Skirmish
Literary usage of Skirmish
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 to 1865 by Frederick Phisterer (1890)
"skirmish on reconnoissance from near Sharpsburg, Md., to Kearneys- ville, ...
skirmish at Upperville, Va Detachment 5th Cavalry, Major Hammond. 480. ..."
2. History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth by James Anthony Froude (1878)
"... in which Sir Gawen was shot through the arm, the road was A skirmish, cleared.
Lord Russell passed over, and the n skirmish became general. ..."
3. History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: From the by William Francis Patrick Napier (1862)
"... rear—Cavalry skirmish near Leiria—Allies retreat upon the lines—Colonel Trant
surprises Coimbra —The French army continues its march—Cavalry skirmish at ..."
4. History of the War in the Peninsula and in the South of France: From the by William Francis Patrick Napier (1842)
"Massena resumes his march—The militia close upon his rear—Cavalry skirmish near
Leiria—Allies retreat upon the Lines—Colonel Tram surprises Coimbra—The ..."
5. The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, with Documents, Narratives by Frank Moore, Edward Everett (1863)
"Hatch, who had finished a considerable skirmish, and captured thirty-five prisoners.
Falling back a mile, we camped for the night, and next morning, ..."
6. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"It thus appears that the orig. sense of skirmish is ' to fight behind cover,'
hence to take advantage of cover or slight shelter in advancing to fight. ..."
7. Early English Poetry, Ballads, and Popular Literature of the Middle Ages by Percy Society (1840)
"THE READING skirmish. " IN 1688, a skirmish happened at Reading (Berkshire), in
which fell the only officer of the Prince of Orange's army, ..."
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