skirmish
skirmish
Definition
skir·mish (skʉr′mis̸h)
noun
- a brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle
- 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
skir′·misher noun
skirmish
Synonyms
skirmish
Usage Examples
Object
- order: The Cardigan men had tried a rush, in skirmishing order, at the pit, simply to be swept out of existence.
Converse of object
- fight: In Stockbridge, which is 8 miles from Winchester, Robert Earl of Gloucester, was fighting a skirmish.
- win: We can win these skirmishes - in many cases, they have already been won.
- follow: At first, after you've collected your thoughts following the initial skirmish, you'll just admire the scenery.
- have: The military latterly had a skirmish in the affair.
Adjective modifier
- minor: His attention was caught by a minor skirmish in a little place called England.
- preliminary: After a few preliminary skirmishes, she had lost patience and reacted.
- bloody: After this battle, he was forced back into Virginia in a series of bloody skirmishes.
- brief: Outside the room, he heard a brief skirmish ending with an infuriated squeal - female.
- numerous: It also has been known on occasion to exercise its military might in numerous skirmishes around the region over the last two centuries.
- initial: At first, after you've collected your thoughts following the initial skirmish, you'll just admire the scenery.
Modifies a noun
- mode: This is especially noticeable in the quick battle skirmish mode where your computer opponent seems hell bent on using the same tactic every time.
- game: This high-quality skirmish game is playable right out of the box.
- line: The groups would usually form a loose ' skirmish line ' with visual contact maintained between each element.
Noun used with modifier
- border: Occasional border skirmishes have flared up, leading to the establishment of a joint commission of investigation.
- opening: The mesmeric theater of the sales season also has its opening skirmish here.
Preposition: in
- battle: So what can we learn from the latest skirmish in the battle of the giants?
- war: It is potentially the first skirmishes in a war which will tear apart the West and the Arab world.
Preposition: with
skirmish Quotes
Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.
