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skirmish
(redirected from skirmishing)

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
skir·mish  (skûrmsh)
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-1 in Indo-European roots.]

skirmish·er n.

skirmish [ˈskɜːmɪʃ]
n
1. (Military) a minor short-lived military engagement
2. any brisk clash or encounter, usually of a minor nature
vb
(intr; often foll by with) to engage in a skirmish
[from Old French eskirmir, of Germanic origin; related to Old High German skirmen to defend]
skirmisher  n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.skirmish - a minor short-term fightskirmish - a minor short-term fight            
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"
Verb1.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"

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
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.
Translations
skirmish [ˈskɜːmɪʃ]
A. Nescaramuza f, refriega f (fig) → roce m
to have a skirmish with (fig) → tener un roce con
B. VIpelear
skirmish [ˈskɜːrmɪʃ]
n
(= minor battle) → escarmouche f, accrochage m
(= argument) → escarmouche f
viavoir un accrochage
skirmish
n (Mil) → Gefecht nt, → Plänkelei f; (= scrap, fig) → Zusammenstoß m
vi (Mil) → kämpfen; (= scrap, also fig) → zusammenstoßen
skirmish [ˈskɜːmɪʃ] nscaramuccia


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