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n. 1. A minor battle in war, as one between small forces or between large forces avoiding direct conflict. 2. A minor or preliminary conflict or dispute: a skirmish over the rules before the debate began. intr.v. skir·mished, skir·mish·ing, skir·mish·es To engage in a minor battle or dispute. [Middle English skirmisshe, alteration (influenced by Middle English skirmisshen, to brandish a weapon) of skarmush, from Old French eskarmouch, from Old Italian scaramuccia, of Germanic origin; see sker-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] skirmish·er n. |
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