Duel
['djuːəl] or ['dʊəl]
Definition
(noun.) any struggle between two skillful opponents (individuals or groups).
(noun.) a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor.
(verb.) fight a duel, as over one's honor or a woman; 'In the 19th century, men often dueled over small matters'.
Editor: Ryan--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an affront given by one to the other.
(v. i. & t.) To fight in single combat.
Inputed by Joanna
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Affair of honor.
Editor: Roxanne
Definition
n. a combat between two persons prearranged and fought under fixed conditions generally on an affair of honour—happily harmless in France: any fight or struggle between two parties: single combat to decide a quarrel.—v.i. to fight in a duel:—pr.p. dū′elling; pa.p. dū′elled.—ns. Dū′eller Dū′ellist; Dū′elling fighting in a duel: the practice of fighting in single combat; Duell′o a duel: the laws which regulate duelling.—adj. Dū′elsome given to duelling.
Editor: Lorna
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. A formal ceremony preliminary to the reconciliation of two enemies. Great skill is necessary to its satisfactory observance; if awkwardly performed the most unexpected and deplorable consequences sometimes ensue. A long time ago a man lost his life in a duel.
Typed by Hannah
Examples
- I do not believe I ever would have the courage to fight a duel. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- I have as little knowledge of any householders here, as I have intention of fighting a duel with anybody. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He shot a man in a duel--he's over head and ears in debt, and he's robbed me and mine of the best part of Miss Crawley's fortune. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- In one group, it may be met by recourse to fisticuffs, in another by a challenge to a duel, in a third by an exhibition of contemptuous disregard. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Fancy that he fired in the air, and you've fought a duel, Giles. Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- A duel in Ipswich! Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- This lady, Mr. Jinks, has come here, to give information of an intended duel in this town. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- None of his duels ended fatally, but he faced them with great intrepidity. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- I have seen as high as eight mortal duels within a single day. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- No doubt a majority of the duels fought have been for want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- It was Helium against the field now, and the fight had settled to countless individual duels. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Meanwhile, Mr Venus, who had left the duelling frogs to fight it out in his absence by candlelight for the public delectation, put the shutters up. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The duelling pistol, with its long barrel, its hair trigger and inlaid stock, and the derringer, with its short barrel of large bore, were the popular forms. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- I believe duelling is one of his Majesty's most undoubted prerogatives, Mr. Jinks? Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I place my opposition to duelling on higher grounds than here stated. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- It is astonishing that the murderous practice of duelling, which you so justly condemn, should continue so long in vogue. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
Checked by Genevieve