SKIRMISH Meaning and
Definition
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A skirmish is a brief, unplanned and usually small-scale battle or conflict that involves a limited number of participants. It typically occurs between opposing forces, such as military units, but can also involve individuals or groups. Skirmishes tend to be spontaneous and lack the organization and strategic planning associated with larger confrontations. Instead, they often arise from unexpected encounters or clashes between opposing parties.
In a skirmish, combatants may engage in armed or physical confrontations, using weapons or tactics suitable for a smaller scale conflict. These encounters usually occur in close proximity to one another, such as in a specific location or within a defined area, giving the skirmish a confined nature. Skirmishes can involve a range of activities, including exchanges of gunfire, hand-to-hand combat, or strategic maneuvering to gain advantage over the opponent.
Skirmishes are typically short-lived, lasting for a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the intensity of the conflict. They are characterized by their relatively low casualties compared to larger battles or wars. Often, the purpose of a skirmish is to probe the enemy's strength, test their defenses, or disrupt their operations without committing to a full-scale engagement.
The term "skirmish" is not exclusive to military contexts and can be used metaphorically to describe any brief or minor conflict or disagreement that takes place between individuals or groups in various settings, such as sports, politics, or social interactions.
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• An encounter of a few men when they fight in confusion; a slight combat between detachments and small parties from the main bodies.
• To fight slightly or loosely in small or detached parties.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for SKIRMISH *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SKIRMISH
Etymology of SKIRMISH
The word "skirmish" originated from the Old French word "escarmouche" which meant a 'skirmish' or 'melee'. It was derived from the Old Italian word "scaramuccia" which also meant a 'skirmish' or 'curtain fire'. The word further developed from the Italian word "scaramuccia" which referred to a 'skirmish' or 'a small battle'. Ultimately, this Italian word came from the Arabic word "samar" meaning 'a quarrel' or 'a dispute'. The word "skirmish" has been in use in English since the late 14th century and is commonly used to describe a small-scale and often brief clash or conflict between small military units or individuals.
Idioms with the word SKIRMISH
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skirmish with sm or sth
The idiom "skirmish with someone or something" refers to a brief and usually unplanned encounter or conflict with someone or something. It often implies a minor disagreement, dispute, or clash, but not a full-scale confrontation. The skirmish can be physical, verbal, or symbolic in nature.
Similar spelling word for SKIRMISH
Conjugate verb Skirmish
CONDITIONAL
I
would skirmish
you
would skirmish
he/she/it
would skirmish
we
would skirmish
they
would skirmish
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be skirmishing
you
would be skirmishing
he/she/it
would be skirmishing
we
would be skirmishing
they
would be skirmishing
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have skirmish
you
would have skirmish
he/she/it
would have skirmish
we
would have skirmish
they
would have skirmish
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been skirmishing
you
would have been skirmishing
he/she/it
would have been skirmishing
we
would have been skirmishing
they
would have been skirmishing
FUTURE
I
will skirmish
you
will skirmish
he/she/it
will skirmish
we
will skirmish
they
will skirmish
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be skirmishing
you
will be skirmishing
he/she/it
will be skirmishing
we
will be skirmishing
they
will be skirmishing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have skirmished
you
will have skirmished
he/she/it
will have skirmished
we
will have skirmished
they
will have skirmished
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been skirmishing
you
will have been skirmishing
he/she/it
will have been skirmishing
we
will have been skirmishing
they
will have been skirmishing
IMPERATIVE
you
skirmish
we
let´s skirmish
to skirmish
PAST
I
skirmished
you
skirmished
he/she/it
skirmished
we
skirmished
they
skirmished
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was skirmishing
you
were skirmishing
he/she/it
was skirmishing
we
were skirmishing
they
were skirmishing
PAST PARTICIPLE
skirmished
PAST PERFECT
I
had skirmished
you
had skirmished
he/she/it
had skirmished
we
had skirmished
they
had skirmished
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been skirmishing
you
had been skirmishing
he/she/it
had been skirmishing
we
had been skirmishing
they
had been skirmishing
PRESENT
I
skirmish
you
skirmish
he/she/it
skirmishes
we
skirmish
they
skirmish
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am skirmishing
you
are skirmishing
he/she/it
is skirmishing
we
are skirmishing
they
are skirmishing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
skirmishing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have skirmished
you
have skirmished
he/she/it
has skirmished
we
have skirmished
they
have skirmished
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been skirmishing
you
have been skirmishing
he/she/it
has been skirmishing
we
have been skirmishing
they
have been skirmishing
I
would have skirmished
we
would have skirmished
you
would have skirmished
he/she/it
would have skirmished
they
would have skirmished
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