'Trial by duel' definitions:

Definition of 'Trial by duel'

From: GCIDE
  • Duel \Du"el\, n. [It. duello, fr. L. duellum, orig., a contest between two, which passed into the common form bellum war, fr. duo two: cf. F. duel. See Bellicose, Two, and cf. Duello.] A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an affront given by one to the other. [1913 Webster]
  • Trial by duel (Old Law), a combat between two persons for proving a cause; trial by battel. [1913 Webster]