Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - battle

 I. noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English batel, from Anglo-French bataille ~, battalion, from Late Latin battalia combat, alteration of battualia fencing exercises, from Latin battuere to beat  Date: 13th century  1. archaic battalion  2. a combat between two persons  3. a general encounter between armies, ships of war, or aircraft  4. an extended contest, struggle, or controversy a ~ of wits  II. verb  (~d; battling)  Date: 14th century  intransitive verb  1. to engage in ~ ; fight  2. to contend with full strength, vigor, skill, or resources ; struggle  transitive verb  1. to fight or struggle against  2. to force (as one's way) by battling  • ~r noun  III. transitive verb  (~d; battling)  Etymology: Middle English batailen, from Anglo-French bataillier to fortify with ~ments, from Old French batailles ~mented tower, probably from plural of bataille ~  Date: 14th century archaic to fortify with ~ments