'To join battle' definitions:

Definition of 'To join battle'

From: GCIDE
  • Battle \Bat"tle\, n. [OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle, OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators, fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. Battalia, 1st Battel, and see Batter, v. t. ]
  • 1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life. [1913 Webster]
  • The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H. Morley. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • The king divided his army into three battles. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
  • The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. --Robertson. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a "brand" or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battle array; battle song. [1913 Webster]
  • Battle piece, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle.
  • Battle royal. (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor. --Grose. (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a m[^e]l['e]e. --Thackeray.
  • Drawn battle, one in which neither party gains the victory.
  • To give battle, to attack an enemy.
  • To join battle, to meet the attack; to engage in battle.
  • Pitched battle, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces.
  • Wager of battle. See under Wager, n. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Conflict; encounter; contest; action.
  • Usage: Battle, Combat, Fight, Engagement. These words agree in denoting a close encounter between contending parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied to the encounter of a few individuals, and more commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A combat is a close encounter, whether between few or many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or intermingled in the conflict. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'To join battle'

From: GCIDE
  • Join \Join\ (join), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Joined (joind); p. pr. & vb. n. Joining.] [OE. joinen, joignen, F. joindre, fr. L. jungere to yoke, bind together, join; akin to jugum yoke. See Yoke, and cf. Conjugal, Junction, Junta.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To bring together, literally or figuratively; to place in contact; to connect; to couple; to unite; to combine; to associate; to add; to append. [1913 Webster]
  • Woe unto them that join house to house. --Is. v. 8. [1913 Webster]
  • Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Like twenty torches joined. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Thy tuneful voice with numbers join. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To associate one's self to; to be or become connected with; to league one's self with; to unite with; as, to join a party; to join the church. [1913 Webster]
  • We jointly now to join no other head. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To unite in marriage. [1913 Webster]
  • He that joineth his virgin in matrimony. --Wyclif. [1913 Webster]
  • What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. --Matt. xix. 6. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To enjoin upon; to command. [Obs. & R.] [1913 Webster]
  • They join them penance, as they call it. --Tyndale. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To accept, or engage in, as a contest; as, to join encounter, battle, issue. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. To meet with and accompany; as, we joined them at the restaurant. [PJC]
  • 7. To combine with (another person) in performing some activity; as, join me in welcoming our new president. [PJC]
  • To join battle, To join issue. See under Battle, Issue.
  • Syn: To add; annex; unite; connect; combine; consociate; couple; link; append. See Add. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'To join battle'