n. [ OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle, OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators, fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. Battalia, 1st Battel, and see Batter, v. t. ]
The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. H. Morley. [ 1913 Webster ]
The king divided his army into three battles. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]
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Battle piece,
Battle royal.
Drawn battle,
To give battle,
To join battle,
Pitched battle,
Wager of battle.
a. Fertile. See Battel, a. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
To meet in arms, and battle in the plain. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To assail in battle; to fight. [ 1913 Webster ]
p. p. Embattled. [ Poetic ] Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. batyldour. A corrupted form of uncertain origin; cf. Sp. batallador a great combatant, he who has fought many battles, Pg. batalhador, Pr. batalhador, warrior, soldier, fr. L. battalia; or cf. Pr. batedor batlet, fr. batre to beat, fr. L. batuere. See Battle, n. ]
n. same as battledoor.
n. a region where a battle is fought.
n. the line along which opposing armies face each other.