duel
Two-person fight
A duel is a prearranged combat between two people, traditionally fought with matched weapons to settle a point of honor.
The practice is now largely historical, though some cultures retain ritualized forms.
Figuratively, any intense one-on-one contest is a duel: The debate became a duel of wits.
To duel is to engage in such combat: They dueled at dawn.
Art of fighting with blades
- pistolsSmall one-handed firearms
- fencingCombat with blunted blades
- saberCurved military sword
- rapierSlender dueling blade
épée · seconds · paces · dawn · swordfight · blade · thrust · parry
State of fulfilled desires
- insultOffensive remark or action
- affrontDeliberate public insult
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- challengeTest of ability
glove · slap · reputation · dignity · vindication · pride · chivalry · gallantry
First Treasury secretary
- PushkinEugene Onegin author
- musketeerSoldier armed with musket
- affair of honorCombat over reputation
- illegalForbidden by statute
outlawed · banned · aristocrat · gentleman · Victorian · Regency · rapier · smallsword
One who contends against
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- face-offDirect clash between opponents
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
confrontation · match · contest · competition · clash · battle · struggle · feud
Formal argument on issues
- verbal sparringCompetitive witty exchange
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
battle of wits · head-to-head · one-on-one · mano a mano · shootout · face-off · rap battle · showdown
swordplay
Art of fighting with blades
rapier · épée · seconds · paces · dawn · swordfight · blade · thrust · parry · riposte
satisfaction
State of fulfilled desires
challenge · glove · slap · reputation · dignity · vindication · pride · chivalry · gallantry · valor
Hamilton
First Treasury secretary
- PushkinEugene Onegin author
- musketeerSoldier armed with musket
- affair of honorCombat over reputation
illegal · outlawed · banned · aristocrat · gentleman · Victorian · Regency · rapier · smallsword · flintlock
opponent
One who contends against
showdown · confrontation · match · contest · competition · clash · battle · struggle · feud · grudge
debate
Formal argument on issues
- verbal sparringCompetitive witty exchange
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
battle of wits · clash · head-to-head · one-on-one · mano a mano · shootout · face-off · rap battle · showdown
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- Westernscowboys, western, outlaws, sheriffs, western novels
- Wild Westcowboy, howdy, sheriff, giddyup, lawmen
- action filmschase scene, car chase, explosion, stunt, shootout
- BattlesAntietam, Leipzig, Gettysburg, Waterloo, Bunker Hill
- duelsone-on-one, mano a mano, single combat, sword fight, gunfight
duelpeace
Freedom from disturbance
harmony · concord · reconciliation · truce · accord
duelbrawl
Disorderly group fight
melee · street fight · riot · free-for-all · donnybrook
duelbattle
Armed military engagement
war · team fight · gang fight · tournament · battle royale
- pitcher's duelLow-scoring contest between starters
- dueling pistolsMatched guns for formal combat
- dueling pianosCompetitive two-piano performance
- sword duelArmed single combat
- duelling pistolsMatched firearms for ritualized combat
- dueling banjosAlternating stringed instrument exchange