challenge to battle; provoke combat
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to challenge to battle; to provoke combat; to offer battle
archaicOriginally a military term used in early vernacular novels (Ming/Qing dynasty literature) meaning to challenge an opponent to fight. Literally 'to grasp/hold battle', implying挑衅 or summoning the enemy to engage. Rarely used in modern contexts except in historical or literary discussions.
Liǎng两
jūn军
duì对
lěi垒
，
yī一
yuán员
dà大
jiàng将
chū出
mǎ马
nuò搦
zhàn战
。
The two armies faced each other, and a great general rode forth to challenge the enemy to battle.
Dí敌
jiàng将
měi每
rì日
qián前
lái来
nuò搦
zhàn战
，
wǒ我
jūn军
jiān坚
shǒu守
bù不
chū出
。
The enemy general came to challenge us to battle every day, but our army held firm and refused to engage.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Nà那
shān山
zéi贼
tóu头
mù目
dài带
lǐng领
rén人
mǎ马
，
xià下
shān山
nuò搦
zhàn战
。
The bandit leader led his men down the mountain to challenge the opposing force to combat.