skirmish

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.

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[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.]

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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

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	skirmish - a minor short-term fight     encounter, clash, brush contretemps - an awkward clash; "he tried to smooth over his contretemps with the policeman" fighting, combat, fight, scrap - the act of fighting; any contest or struggle; "a fight broke out at the hockey game"; "there was fighting in the streets"; "the unhappy couple got into a terrible scrap"
Verb	1.	skirmish - engage in a skirmish fight, struggle, contend - be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight; "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country"

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

noun

A brief, hostile exposure to or contact with something such as danger or opposition:

brush, clash, encounter, run-in.

The 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

αψιμαχία

escaramuza

kahakkakahakoidanahistellasuukopuvälikohtaus

escarmouche

scaramucciaschermagliaavvisaglia

小競り合い

schermutseling

стычкаперестрелка

skärmytsling

skirmish

[ˈskɜːmɪʃ]

A. N → escaramuza f, refriega f (fig) → roce m
to have a skirmish with (fig) → tener un roce con

B. VI → pelear

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

[ˈskɜː^rmɪʃ]

n

(= minor battle) → escarmouche f, accrochage m

(= argument) → escarmouche f

vi → avoir un accrochage

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

skirmish

n (Mil) → Gefecht nt, → Plänkelei f; (= scrap, fig) → Zusammenstoß m

vi (Mil) → kämpfen; (= scrap, also fig) → zusammenstoßen

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

skirmish

[ˈskɜːmɪʃ] n → scaramuccia

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995