In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
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
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
5 November 2024
TEMPORIZE
(verb) draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time; “The speaker temporized in order to delay the vote”
Coffee Trivia
