Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Battle \Bat"tle\, n. [OE. bataille, bataile, F. bataille battle,
   OF., battle, battalion, fr. L. battalia, battualia, the
   fighting and fencing exercises of soldiers and gladiators,
   fr. batuere to strike, beat. Cf. {Battalia}, 1st {Battel},
   and see {Batter}, v. t. ]
   1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the
      divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement;
      a combat.

   2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.

            The whole intellectual battle that had at its center
            the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H.
                                                  Morley.

   3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.]

            The king divided his army into three battles.
                                                  --Bacon.

            The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the
            battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every
            action.                               --Robertson.

   4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear;
      battalia. [Obs.] --Hayward.

   Note: Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a
         self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a ``brand''
         or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield;
         battle ground; battlearray; battle song.

   {Battle piece}, a painting, or a musical composition,
      representing a battle.

   {Battle royal}.
      (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that
          stands longest is the victor. --Grose.
      (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two
          are engaged; a m[^e]l['e]e. --Thackeray.

   {Drawn battle}, one in which neither party gains the victory.
      

   {To give battle}, to attack an enemy.

   {To join battle}, to meet the attack; to engage in battle.

   {Pitched battle}, one in which the armies are previously
      drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the
      forces.

   {Wager of battle}. See under {Wager}, n.

   Syn: Conflict; encounter; contest; action.

   Usage: {Battle}, {Combat}, {Fight}, {Engagement}. These words
          agree in denoting a close encounter between contending
          parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the
          others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied
          to the encounter of a few individuals, and more
          commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A
          combat is a close encounter, whether between few or
          many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is
          commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement
          supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or
          intermingled in the conflict.