U

duelling

noun

a prearranged combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons according to an accepted code of procedure, especially to settle a private quarrel.
any contest between two persons or parties.

verb (used with or without object), du·eled, du·el·ing or (especially British) du·elled, du·el·ling.

to fight in a duel.

noun

a prearranged combat with deadly weapons between two people following a formal procedure in the presence of seconds and traditionally fought until one party was wounded or killed, usually to settle a quarrel involving a point of honour
a contest or conflict between two persons or parties

verb duels, duelling or duelled or US duels, dueling or dueled (intr)

to fight in a duel
to contest closely

1590s (from late 13c. in Latin form), from Medieval Latin duellum “combat between two persons,” by association with Latin duo “two,” but originally from Latin duellum “war,” an Old Latin form of bellum (see bellicose). Retained in poetic and archaic language and apparently given a special meaning in Medieval or Late Latin of “one-on-one combat” on fancied connection with duo “two.”

1640s, see duel (n.). Related: Dueled; dueling; duelling.