Word-Built World: monomachy

he Monomachy of Prince Mstislav the Daring and Prince Rededia of the Adyghes, 1812. Art: Andrey Ivanovich Ivanov

A.Word.A.Daywith Anu Garg

monomachy

PRONUNCIATION:

(muh-NOM-uh-kee) 

MEANING:

noun: A fight between two people or forces.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek mono- (one) + -machy (battle). Earliest documented use: 1582.

NOTES:

If a monomachy is a fight between two people, what’s a duomachy? Also a fight between two people. Best not to spar with the English language. Don’t duel with a language, any language. Here’s how it works: mono here refers to the number of contests, not the number of contestants. In some battles, one champion from each army engaged in a duel and the outcome is taken as if the whole army fought. Saves a lot of casualties, though not much confusion for the etymologist.

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