skirmish
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skir·mish
(skûr′mĭsh)n.
1. A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict.
2. A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute: a skirmish over the rules before the debate began.
intr.v. skir·mished, skir·mish·ing, skir·mish·es
To engage in a minor battle or dispute.
[Middle English skirmisshe, alteration (influenced by Middle English skirmisshen, to brandish a weapon) of skarmush, from Old French eskarmouch, from Old Italian scaramuccia, of Germanic origin; see sker- in Indo-European roots.]
skir′mish·er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
skirmish
(ˈskɜːmɪʃ)n
1. (Military) a minor short-lived military engagement
2. any brisk clash or encounter, usually of a minor nature
vb
(often foll by: with) to engage in a skirmish
[C14: from Old French eskirmir, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German skirmen to defend]
ˈskirmisher n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
skir•mish
(ˈskɜr mɪʃ)n.
1. a fight between small bodies of troops.
2. any brisk conflict or encounter.
v.i. 3. to engage in a skirmish.
[1300–50 < Old French eskirmiss-, s. of eskirmir < Frankish; compare Old High German skirman to defend]
skir′mish•er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
skirmish
Past participle: skirmished
Gerund: skirmishing
| Imperative |
|---|
| skirmish |
| skirmish |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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| Noun | 1. |  skirmish - a minor short-term fight contretemps - an awkward clash; "he tried to smooth over his contretemps with the policeman" |
| Verb | 1. | skirmish - engage in a skirmish |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
skirmish
noun
1. fight, battle, conflict, incident, clash, contest, set-to (informal), encounter, brush, combat, scrap (informal), engagement, spat, tussle, fracas, affray (Law), dust-up (informal), scrimmage Border skirmishes are common.
2. argument, fight, row, clash, dispute, falling out (informal), disagreement, feud, quarrel, barney (informal), squabble, wrangle, bickering, difference of opinion, altercation, turf war (informal) This difference has led to several political skirmishes.
verb
1. fight, clash, come to blows, scrap (informal), collide, grapple, wrangle, tussle, lock horns, cross swords Police skirmished with youths on a council estate last Friday.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
skirmish
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
kahakkakahakoidanahistellasuukopuvälikohtaus
小競り合い
skärmytsling
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
skirmish
[ˈskɜːrmɪʃ] n
(= minor battle) → escarmouche f, accrochage m
(= argument) → escarmouche f
vi → avoir un accrochage
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
skirmish
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995