skirmish

== English == === Alternative forms === scirmish === Etymology === From Middle English skirmish (as a verb), from Old French escarmouche (“skirmish”), from Italian scaramuccia, earlier schermugio. Doublet of escarmouche, Scaramouche, and Scaramucci. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈskɜːmɪʃ/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈskɝmɪʃ/ Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)mɪʃ Hyphenation: skir‧mish === 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. Synonym: scrap A type of outdoor military style game using paintball or similar weapons. ==== Synonyms ==== See also Thesaurus:fight See also Thesaurus:dispute ==== Derived terms ==== squirmish ==== Related terms ==== screen ==== Translations ==== === Verb === skirmish (third-person singular simple present skirmishes, present participle skirmishing, simple past and past participle skirmished) (intransitive) To engage in a minor battle or dispute. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====