dogfight
dogfight Lexical Profile
dogfight Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A close-range aerial battle between military fighter aircraft conducting rapid, tight maneuvers.
"The aviation museum's documentary featured archival footage of a dramatic dogfight high above the English Channel."
A fierce, ruthless struggle, competition, or argument between two or more rivals.
"The primary election quickly turned into a political dogfight over the city's infrastructure budget."
A violent fight between two or more dogs, especially one staged illegally for gambling or entertainment.
"Animal welfare advocates worked with local authorities to shut down the illegal dogfight operation."
• verb
To engage in close-range aerial combat (of fighter aircraft or pilots).
"The trainees used advanced flight simulators to learn how to dogfight against agile adversary jets."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originally referring literally to a fight between dogs, the word gained its aviation sense during World War I, when the rapid, tight turning maneuvers of fighter biplanes reminded observers of two dogs snarling and circling each other.