fight

I. verb (fought; fighting) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English feohtan; akin to Old High German fehtan to fight and perhaps to Latin pectere to comb — more at pectinate Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. a. to contend in battle or physical combat; especially to strive to overcome a person by blows or weapons b. to engage in boxing 2. to put forth a determined effort transitive verb 1. a. (1) to contend against in or as if in battle or physical combat (2) to box against in the ring b. (1) to attempt to prevent the success or effectiveness of <

the company fought the takeover attempt

> (2) to oppose the passage or development of <

fight a bill in Congress

> 2. a. wage, carry on <

fight a battle

> b. to take part in (as a boxing match) 3. to struggle to endure or surmount <

fight a cold

> 4. a. to gain by struggle <

fights his way through

> b. to resolve by struggle <

fought out their differences in court

> 5. a. to manage (a ship) in a battle or storm b. to cause to struggle or contend c. to manage in an unnecessarily rough or awkward manner II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. a. a hostile encounter ; battle, combat b. a boxing match c. a verbal disagreement ; argument 2. a struggle for a goal or an objective <

a fight for justice

> 3. strength or disposition for fighting ; pugnacity <

still full of fight

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