Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A boxer; a pugilist.
  • noun As much as can be taken up between the thumb and the first two fingers; a pinch.

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

  • noun obsolete As much as is taken up between the thumb and two first fingers.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • The Bishop was prepared with the customary "pugil" or champion (who received 6s. 8d. per annum), though his services were not required.

    Bell’s Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Hereford, A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See 1906

  • Nuvision Action Images After warriors tried to knock him down with padded pugil sticks, Mr. Call sprinted across the finish line to win.

    'Spartan Races' Have Man to Beat 2011

  • Cantor challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to a pugil stick match in the stacks of Fort Knox.

    Will Durst: Gibberish & Manure Will Durst 2011

  • Cantor challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to a pugil stick match in the stacks of Fort Knox.

    Will Durst: Gibberish & Manure Will Durst 2011

  • If you're excited to see pugil sticks and sling-shot humans coming at you in 3-D, you'll likely also be happy to know the "Jackass" franchise will allegedly be continued in a third movie, this one in three dimensions as well.

    ‘American Gladiators’ And ‘Jackass’ Bring Their Stunts To 3-D » MTV Movies Blog 2009

  • Cantor challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to a pugil stick match in the stacks of Fort Knox.

    Will Durst: Gibberish & Manure Will Durst 2011

  • A followup statement clarified that Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler believes the Herndon Climb may eventually be supplanted by the Sea Trials program, a 14-hour regimen of physical and mental endurance tests including "hill assault," a two-mile regimental run, simulated bridge defense and demolition, pull-ups and something called "pugil stick jousting," This year's Sea Trials is set for Tuesday.

    USNA reconsiders Herndon Climb 2010

  • Our instruments are our pugil sticks, 100 mph tennis balls, and our fists.

    Gladiator Dan Clark 2009

  • Our instruments are our pugil sticks, 100 mph tennis balls, and our fists.

    Gladiator Dan Clark 2009

  • It's a characteristic that people want to see, but they don't want it to become a pugil stick by which candidates beat each other up and the media beats up candidates.

    CNN Transcript Dec 15, 2007 2007

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  • "For although there was skill in the game for sure, this kind of success was all luck; and if a man had only a given amount for his whole share, it was a shame to fritter away so much as a pugil.

    "'What is a pugil?' asked Jack, to whom he had made this observation.

    "'It is a physical term, a fair and just return for all your poops and garstrakes, and it means as much as you can pick up between your thumb and first two fingers: dried herbs and the like. Jesuits' bark, for example.'

    "'I have always heard that a Jesuit's bark is worse than his bite,' said Jack."

    --Patrick O'Brian, The Thirteen Gun Salute, 275

    March 5, 2008