fighting meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

fighting

adj

UK /ˈfaɪ.tɪŋ/ · CA, US /ˈfaɪ.tɪŋ/

Etymology From Middle English feghtyng, fyȝtynge, fightand, feghtand, feghtande, feightand, feȝtand, viȝtinde, feihtende, from Old English feohtende, from Proto-Germanic *fehtandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *fehtaną (“to comb, struggle, contend with”), equivalent to fight + -ing.

Engaged in war or other conflict.

Apt to provoke a fight.

It seems like a fighting insult, but he explains.1925 April 11, "Books", in The New Yorker, page 26
Them's fighting words in my country!1947, Hold That Lion! (film)

1 more example

Those are fighting words, of course, and the people who presently hold the high ground of economic power in society will not be amused.2003, Marjorie Kelly, The Divine Right of Capital: Dethroning the Corporate Aristocracy, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, →ISBN, page xi:

Derived terms: Fighting Bob, fighting chance, fighting hole, fighting little judge, fightingly, fighting word, nonfighting, unfighting

fighting

noun

Etymology From Middle English fightyng, fightynge, fiȝtinge, feȝtyng, from Old English fihtung (“fighting”), equivalent to fight + -ing.

The act or process of contending; violence or conflict.

A fight or battle; an occasion on which people fight

Then here the warres end, here our fightings marde, Yet by your leave Ile stand upon my Guard.1613, “The Costlie Whore”, in A Collection Of Old English Plays, Vol. IV.:
Seid had fallen in the War of Tabuc, the first of Mahomet's fightings with the Greeks.1840, Thomas Carlyle, On Heroes and Hero Worship and the Heroic in History:

1 more example

A good many soldiers, and some officers, were present; but the expression of our dissent from all wars and fightings had not displeased them, for they shook hands with US most kindly.1860, John Yeardley, Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel:

Derived terms: 41 terms
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