faɪt v. & n. --v. (past
and past part. fought) 1 intr. (often foll. by
against, with)
contend or
struggle in
war,
battle,
single combat, etc. 2 tr. contend
with (an opponent) in
this way. 3 tr.
take part or
engage in (a battle, war,
duel, etc.). 4 tr. contend
about (an
issue, an election);
maintain (a
lawsuit,
cause, etc.) against an
opponent. 5 intr.
campaign or
strive determinedly to
achieve something. 6 tr. strive to
overcome (disease,
fire,
fear, etc.). 7 tr.
make (one's way) by fighting. 8 tr. cause (cocks or dogs) to fight. 9 tr.
handle (troops, a
ship, etc.) in battle. --n. 1 a a combat,
esp.
unpremeditated,
between two or
more persons, animals, or parties. b a boxing-match. c a battle. 2 a
conflict or struggle; a
vigorous effort in
the face of
difficulty. 3
power or
inclination to fight (has no fight left; showed fight). øfight
back 1
counter-attack. 2
suppress (one's feelings, tears, etc.). fight down suppress (one's feelings, tears, etc.). fight
for 1 fight on
behalf of. 2 fight to
secure (a thing). fighting
chair US a fixed chair on a
boat for
use when catching large fish. fighting
chance an
opportunity of succeeding by
great effort. fighting fish (in full
Siamese fighting fish) a
freshwater fish, Betta splendens,
native to Thailand, the males of
which sometimes kill each other during fights for
territory. fighting fit fit
enough to fight; at the peak of fitness. fighting
fund money raised to
support a campaign. fighting-top Naut. a
circular gun-platform
high on a warship's mast. fighting words colloq. words indicating a willingness to fight. fight
off repel with effort. fight
out (usu. fight it out) settle (a
dispute etc.) by fighting. fight shy of
avoid; be
unwilling to
approach (a
person,
task, etc.). make a fight of it (or put up a fight)
offer resistance. [OE feohtan, feoht(e), f. WG]