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skirmish definition

skir·mish (skʉr′mis̸h)

noun

  1. a brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle
  2. any slight, unimportant conflict; brush

Etymology: ME scarmoch < MFr escharmuche < It scaramuccia < schermire, to fight < Gmc, as in OHG *skirmjan, to protect < skirm, a guard: see screen

intransitive verb

to take part in a skirmish

Etymology: ME scarmishen

Related Forms:

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