Definition of: duel

(d′əl, dy′-) noun
1. A prearranged combat between two persons, usually fought with deadly weapons in the presence of witnesses or seconds.
2. A struggle between two contending parties.
—v.t. & v.i. du·eled or ·elled, du·el·ing or ·el·ling To fight or fight with, in a duel. ◆ Homophone: dual. [<F <Ital. duello <L duellum, var. of bellum war]
—du′el·er, du′el·ler noun
—du′el·ist, du′el·list noun