Skirmish



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n.小战, 小争吵
• ［英］ n.小战, 小争吵 ( a minor dispute or contest)
• ［类］ skirmish : insignificance / duel : formality ( 小战的特点是不重要 / 决斗的特点是正式)
• ［例］ A skirmish between a wife and a husband is insignificant.

Webster Collegiate

I. noun

• Etymology: Middle English skyrmissh, alteration (influenced by Anglo-French eskermir to fence (with swords), protect, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German scirmen to protect, scirm shield) of skarmuch, from Anglo-French escarmuche, from Old Italian scaramuccia — more at screen
• Date: 14th century
• 1. a minor fight in war usually incidental to larger movements
• 2.
  • a. a brisk preliminary verbal conflict
  • b. a minor dispute or contest between opposing parties <the debate touched off a skirmish>

II. intransitive verb

• Date: 14th century
• 1. to engage in a skirmish
• 2. to search about (as for supplies) ; scout around
• ? skirmisher noun

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