Du"el (?), n. [It. duello, fr. L. duellum, orig., a contest between two, which passed into the common form bellum war, fr. duo two: cf. F. duel. See Bellicose, Two, and cf. Duello.]
A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an affront given by one to the other.
Trial by duel OldLaw, a combat between two persons for proving a cause; trial by battel.
<-- NOte: this is the correct spelling of "battel"! -->
© Webster 1913.
Du"el, v. i. & t.
To fight in single combat.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.