society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > skirmish (7)
intransitive. To skirmish, exchange blows; to fight.
intransitive. To engage in a skirmish or irregular encounter; to fight in small parties. Frequently const. with.
intransitive. To skirmish.
intransitive. To engage in short bouts of fighting or minor battles; to skirmish. Also in extended use: to wrangle; to quarrel (archaic).
intransitive. To skirmish.
intransitive. To skirmish.