battle
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
How often you will meet it
Rank 965 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 19,013 times across 175,177 chapters — 0.009% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war also: conflict, fight, engagement Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamaugahe lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
- an energetic attempt to achieve something also: struggle getting through the crowd was a real strugglehe fought a battle for recognition
- an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals) also: conflict, struggle the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumphpolice tried to control the battle between the pro- and anti-abortion mobs
verb
- battle or contend against in or as if in a battle also: combat The Kurds are combating Iraqi troops in Northern IraqWe must combat the prejudices against other races
battle in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The saints are always victorious, and yet they are constantly obliged to renew the battle.
The Dream · Émile Zola · Chapter 1
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There was a great battle about me when Mrs. Waddy appeared punctual to her appointed hour.
The Adventures of Harry Richmond — Complete · George Meredith · Chapter 1
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In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
The Complete Poetical Works of Henry · Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Chapter 1
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The proportion of fighting in the battle of life outweighs the "beer and skittles"; as does the interest.
The Courage of the Commonplace · Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews · Chapter 1
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Riding fast, Sir Thomas Tresham crossed the Thames at Reading before any news of the battle of Barnet had arrived there.
A Knight of the White Cross · G. A. (George Alfred) Henty · Chapter 1