SKIRMISH

brush, clash, encounter, skirmish

(noun) a minor short-term fight

skirmish

(verb) engage in a skirmish

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

skirmish (plural skirmishes)

(military) A brief battle between small groups, usually part of a longer or larger battle or war.

(figuratively, by extension) Any minor dispute.

A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons.

Synonyms

• See also fight

• See also dispute

Verb

skirmish (third-person singular simple present skirmishes, present participle skirmishing, simple past and past participle skirmished)

To engage in a minor battle or dispute

Source: Wiktionary

Skir"mish, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skirmished; p. pr. & vb. n. Skirmishing.] Etym: [OE. skirmishen, scarmishen, OF. escremir, eskermir, to fence, fight, F. escrimer, of German origin; cf. OHG. scirmen to protect, defend, G. schirmen, OHG. scirm, scerm, protection, shield, G. schirm; perhaps akin to Gr. Scaramouch, Scrimmage.]

Definition: To fight slightly or in small parties; to engage in a skirmish or skirmishes; to act as skirmishers.

Skir"mish, n.Etym: [OE. scarmishe, scrymishe. See Skirmish, v. i.]

1. A slight fight in war; a light or desultory combat between detachments from armies, or between detached and small bodies of troops.

2. A slight contest. They never meet but there's a skirmish of wit. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition