duel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor
    affaire d'honneur.
  2. noun any struggle between two skillful opponents (individuals or groups)
  3. verb fight a duel, as over one's honor or a woman
    • In the 19th century, men often dueled over small matters

WordNet

Du"el noun
Etymology
It. duello, fr. L. duellum, orig., a contest between two, which passed into the common form bellum war, fr. duo two: cf. F. duel. See Bellicose, Two, and cf. Duello.
Definitions
  1. A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an affront given by one to the other.
Du"el intransitive verb & transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To fight in single combat. Obs.

Webster 1913