Cudgelling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ช
cudgelling
[หkษdสษlษชล ]
Definition
physical action
Cudgelling refers to the act of striking or beating someone or something with a cudgel, which is a short, thick stick used as a weapon. This term can also imply a rough or violent manner of attack. In a more figurative sense, it can suggest a clumsy or brutal approach to a problem or situation. While cudgeling is often associated with physical violence, it can also represent mental or psychological struggle.
Synonyms
beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, pummeling.
Examples of usage
- The angry villager was seen cudgelling a rival.
- During the duel, he was cudgelled by his opponent.
- In her dreams, she found herself cudgelling her fears.
- Resistance fighters used cudgelling tactics against their oppressors.
Translations
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Origin of 'cudgelling'
The term 'cudgel' dates back to Middle English, derived from the Old Norse 'kugli', meaning a club or stick. It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic language, combining elements that imply a heavy or blunt instrument. Historically, cudgels were commonly used as weapons, particularly in rural settings where people often made use of available materials to defend themselves or settle disputes. The word has evolved to encompass not just the literal action of striking but also metaphorically to describe struggle and conflict in various forms. Over time, the usage of 'cudgel' and its derivatives reflects societal developments in the understanding of physical confrontations and the psychological metaphor of cudgeling oneโs thoughts or arguments.