battle
UK[ˈbætl]US[ˈbætl]
n
A fight between two armies in a war
n
A situation in which opposing groups or people compete or argue with each other
v
To try very hard to achieve something difficult or to deal with something unpleasant
Etymology
The word 'battle' entered English in the early 14th century from the Old French 'bataille', meaning a combat or a battle. This Old French term itself descended from the Late Latin 'battualia', which referred to military exercises or fencing practice, derived from the Latin verb 'battuere', meaning 'to beat'. The ultimate origin is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of beating. The semantic journey thus moved from the literal sense of striking or beating to organized, armed combat between forces, and later broadened to include any intense struggle or contest.
Analysis
The word 'battle' is a simplex word of Old French origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within its current English spelling.
Examples
The battle lasted for several days and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.
She has been battling cancer with remarkable courage and determination.
The legal battle over the copyright could continue for years.