Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as monomachy.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A duel; single combat.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun obsolete A duel; single combat.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Latin monomachia, Ancient Greek μονομαχία (monomakhia); μόνος (monos, "single, alone") + μάχομαι (makhomai, "fight").

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Examples

  • Balmawhapple, has craved of my age and experience, as of one not wholly unskilled in the dependencies and punctilios of the duello or monomachia, to be his interlocutor in expressing to you the regret with which he calls to remembrance certain passages of our symposion last night, which could not but be highly displeasing to you, as serving for the time under this present existing government.

    Waverley 2004

  • In a letter to Charles the Bald, Nicolas I (858-67) condemned the duel (monomachia) as a tempting of God.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 5: Diocese-Fathers of Mercy 1840-1916 1913

  • Long as I have been narrating all these facts, I assure the reader they did not occupy ten minutes in action, including the monomachia on board of the _Lady Jane_.

    Rattlin the Reefer Edward Howard 1820

  • Balmawhapple, has craved of my age and experience, as of one not wholly unskilled in the dependencies and punctilios of the duello or monomachia, to be his interlocutor in expressing to you the regret with which he calls to remembrance certain passages of our symposion last night, which could not but be highly displeasing to you, as serving for the time under this present existing government.

    Waverley — Volume 1 Walter Scott 1801

  • Balmawhapple, has craved of my age and experience, as of one not wholly unskilled in the dependencies and punctilios of the duello or monomachia, to be his interlocutor in expressing to you the regret with which he calls to remembrance certain passages of our symposion last night, which could not but be highly displeasing to you, as serving for the time under this present existing government.

    Waverley — Complete Walter Scott 1801

  • I once narrowly escaped such an affray — but I humbled myself, and apologised to Redcowl; for, even in my younger days, I was no friend to the monomachia, or duel, and would rather walk with Sir Priest than with Sir Knight — I care not who knows so much of my valour.

    The Antiquary 1584

  • If you weren’t underage, Herondale, it would be monomachia for us.

    Clockwork Angel Cassandra Clare 2010

  • --- but I humbled myself, and apologised to Redcowl; for, even in my younger days, I was no friend to the monomachia, or duel, and would rather walk with Sir Priest than with Sir Knight --- I care not who knows so much of my valour.

    The Antiquary 1845

  • Waverley, -- my young and esteemed friend, Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple, has craved of my age and experience, as of one not wholly unskilled in the dependencies and punctilios of the duello or monomachia, to be his interlocutor in expressing to you the regret with which he calls to remembrance certain passages of our symposion last night, which could not but be highly displeasing to you, as serving for the time under this present existing government.

    Waverley: or, 'Tis sixty years since Walter Scott 1801

  • Waverley -- my young and esteemed friend, Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple, has craved of my age and experience, as of one not wholly unskilled in the dependencies and punctilios of the duello or monomachia, to be his interlocutor in expressing to you the regret with which he calls to remembrance certain passages of our symposion last night, which could not but be highly displeasing to you, as serving for the time under this present existing government.

    Waverley Walter Scott 1801

Comments

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  • From the Greek mono- (one) and machia (battle), thus a battle fought one to one or with single combatants. Compare anchemachia; contrast telemachia.

    February 10, 2008