Combat

v. i. [imp. & p. p. COMBATED; p. pr. & vb. n. COMBATING.] [Fr. combattre, from com and battre, to beat, from Lat. batuere, to strike, beat; Pr. combattre, combattere, It. combattere, Pg. combater, Sp. combatir. Cf. BEAT.] To struggle or contend, as with an opposing force.

After the fall of the republic, the Romans combated only for the choice of masters. Gibbon.

As if nature's concord broke Two planets rushing from aspect malign Of fiercest opposition, in mid-sky Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. Milton.

(22) (Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. combat, Sp. combate. See supra.] 1. A struggle to resist, overthrow, or conquer; contest by force; engagement; battle. My courage try by combat if thou dar'st. Shak. 2. (Mil.) An engagement of no great magnitude, or one in which the parties engaged are not armies. Single combat, a combat with one on either side; a duel. Syn.—A battle; engagement; conflict; contest; encounter; rencounter; fight; strife. See BATTLE, CONTEST.