battle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbat(ə)l/

noun

  • a sustained fight between large organized armed forces: the battle lasted for several hours [in names]: the Battle of Waterloo [mass noun]: he died in battle
  • a lengthy and difficult conflict or struggle: the battle against ageing

verb

[no object]
  • struggle tenaciously to achieve or resist something: he has been battling against the illness
  • [with object] engage in a fight or struggle against: firefighters battled a 9,800-acre brush fire

Phrases

battle it out

fight or compete to a definite conclusion: bike riders from all over the country battled it out

battle royal

(plural battles royal) a fiercely contested fight or dispute: there promises to be a battle royal between the two companies

battle stations

chiefly US the positions taken by military personnel in preparation for battle (often used as a command or signal to prepare for battle).

half the battle

an important step towards achieving something: he never gives in, and that’s half the battle

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French bataille (noun), bataillier (verb), based on late Latin battualia 'military or gladiatorial exercises', from Latin battuere 'to beat'