Skirmish Definition
skûrmĭsh
skirmished, skirmishes, skirmishing
noun
skirmishes
A brief fight or encounter between small groups, usually an incident of a battle.
Webster's New World
Any slight, unimportant conflict; brush.
Webster's New World
verb
skirmished, skirmishing
To take part in a skirmish.
Webster's New World
To engage in a minor battle or dispute.
Wiktionary
Skirmish is to get involved in a short little argument or fight.
When you get involved in a little fight, this is an example of a time when you skirmish.
YourDictionary
Synonyms:
Advertisement
Origin of Skirmish
-
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 sker-1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Old French escarmouche (“skirmish"), from Italian scaramuccia, earlier schermugio.
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Advertisement
Skirmish Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to skirmish using the buttons below.