skirmish
skirmish Lexical Profile
skirmish Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An episode of irregular or unpremeditated fighting, especially between small or outlying parts of opposing forces.
"Historians noted that the treaty was signed shortly after a brief border skirmish between the two neighboring territories."
A short, spirited argument, dispute, or contest, especially a preliminary or minor one.
"The committee members engaged in a lively verbal skirmish over the proposed budget allocations."
• verb
To engage in a short, minor, or irregular conflict, dispute, or argument.
"The two legal teams skirmished over procedural rules before the main trial even began."
• Rhymes for skirmish
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'escarmouche' (via Italian 'scaramuccia'), ultimately tracing back to a Frankish or Germanic root meaning 'to protect or defend' (related to the English word 'skirm').