du|el

du|el «DOO uhl, DYOO-», noun, verb, -eled, -el|ing or -elled, -el|ling.

–n.

1. a formal fight to settle a quarrel or avenge an insult. Duels are fought with guns, swords, or other weapons between two persons in the presence of witnesses called seconds. »

A duel was fought…between two colonels (Jonathan Swift).

2. any fight or contest between two opposing parties, whether persons, animals, or political parties: »

The two opposing lawyers fought a duel of wits in the law court.

–v.i.

to fight a duel; engage in single combat.

–v.t.

Obsolete. to overcome or kill in a duel.

╂[< Middle French duel < Medieval Latin duellum a combat between two < Latin duellum, early form of bellum war. See etym. of doublet duello. (Cf. ↑duello)]

–du´el|er,

–du´el|ler, noun.