Skirmish: meaning, definitions and examples

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skirmish

[ ˈskɜːrmɪʃ ]

^{Context #1}

military

A skirmish is a brief, unplanned fight or battle between small groups of soldiers.

Synonyms

clash, encounter, scuffle

Examples of usage

The soldiers engaged in a skirmish with the enemy forces.
During the skirmish, several soldiers were injured.
The skirmish lasted only a few minutes before both sides retreated.

^{Context #2}

military

To skirmish means to engage in a brief, unplanned fight or battle.

Synonyms

clash, fight, struggle

Examples of usage

The two armies skirmished along the border.
The troops skirmished with the rebels in the forest.

Translations

Translations of the word "skirmish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escaramuça

🇮🇳 झड़प

🇩🇪 Scharmützel

🇮🇩 bentrokan

🇺🇦 сутичка

🇵🇱 potyczka

🇯🇵 小競り合い

🇫🇷 échauffourée

🇪🇸 escaramuza

🇹🇷 çatışma

🇰🇷 소규모 전투

🇸🇦 اشتباك

🇨🇿 potyčka

🇸🇰 potýčka

🇨🇳 小冲突

🇸🇮 spopad

🇮🇸 skærur

🇰🇿 қақтығыс

🇬🇪 შეტაკება

🇦🇿 toqquşma

🇲🇽 escaramuza

Word origin

The word 'skirmish' originated in the late 15th century from the Middle French word 'escarmouche', which means a 'skirmish'. It was used to describe small battles or fights involving a limited number of soldiers. Over time, 'skirmish' has become a common term in military contexts to refer to brief, unplanned engagements between opposing forces.