Meaning
Arranged, regular combat between two private persons, often over a matter of honor.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
From Medieval Latin duellum (“fight between two men, duel”), itself from Old Latin duellum (“war, fight”), which survived in Classical Latin as a rare byform of bellum and was later reinterpreted as “duel” by unetymological association with duo (“two”). May have entered English through Middle French duel.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 14 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-09-10UADEHLN
- 2026-05-19UDELOPT
- 2026-03-23UCNLHED
- 2026-03-06UDEFILP
- 2026-02-13LDENOUV
- 2025-12-22UCNLKED
- 2025-10-29LCDEINU
- 2025-08-04UDLGEIT
- 2025-04-23UCLEDIT
- 2025-04-08UAHEDGL
- 2024-02-01UMBLEDH
- 2023-08-26LDUPMEN
+2 earlier appearances in the archive.