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duello

duello

9.9
A formal fight between two people to settle a disagreement
  • noun
  • /dʒuˈɛloʊ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : duelo
  • In the novel, a tragic duello changes the fate of both families forever.

Examples

  • Historical records describe a famous duello fought with swords in the old city square.

  • The two gentlemen agreed to a duello at dawn.

  • The two gentlemen agreed to a duello at dawn to resolve their honor dispute.

  • In the past, a duello was often fought over honor.

  • The two rivals agreed to meet at dawn for a duello to settle their differences honorably.

  • Historically, a duello was often fought with swords in front of witnesses.

  • During the medieval period, a duello was considered a last resort to resolve disputes between nobles.

Synonyms

fight
vsduello
675 2.4

A strong argument between people or groups, often public

is an old fashioned term for formal one on one combat not public disputes
duel
vsduello
27 6.5

A formal fight between two people with weapons to settle a dispute

is the old fashioned term for the same arranged formal combat
affaire d'honneur
vsduello
  • Archaic
9.9

A planned fight with weapons to settle an insult to a person's honour

is a general term for formal fights not limited to honor disputes

Surface Forms

duello singular
duellos plural

Etymology

Duello comes from Italian duello, which in turn comes from the old Latin duellum meaning 'war' or 'fight'. Think of it as a 'two-person war', which is why duello means a formal fight between two people today.