DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Pitch v. t.
1. To throw, generally with a definite aim or purpose; to cast; to hurl; to toss; as, to pitch quoits; to pitch hay; to pitch a ball.
2. To thrust or plant in the ground, as stakes or poles; hence, to fix firmly, as by means of poles; to establish; to arrange; as, to pitch a tent; to pitch a camp.
3. To set, face, or pave with rubble or undressed stones, as an embankment or a roadway.
4. To fix or set the tone of; as, to pitch a tune.
5. To set or fix, as a price or value. [Obs.]
Pitched battle, a general battle; a battle in which the hostile forces have fixed positions; -- in distinction from a skirmish.
To pitch into, to attack; to assault; to abuse. [Slang]
Bat·tle, n.
1. A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat.
2. A struggle; a contest; as, the battle of life.
The whole intellectual battle that had at its center the best poem of the best poet of that day. --H. Morley.
3. A division of an army; a battalion. [Obs.]
The king divided his army into three battles. --Bacon.
The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle, and on it alone depended the fate of every action. --Robertson.
4. The main body, as distinct from the van and rear; battalia. [Obs.]
Note: ☞ Battle is used adjectively or as the first part of a self-explaining compound; as, battle brand, a “brand” or sword used in battle; battle cry; battlefield; battle ground; battle array; battle song.
Battle piece, a painting, or a musical composition, representing a battle.
Battle royal. (a) A fight between several gamecocks, where the one that stands longest is the victor. --Grose. (b) A contest with fists or cudgels in which more than two are engaged; a mêlée. --Thackeray.
Drawn battle, one in which neither party gains the victory.
To give battle, to attack an enemy.
To join battle, to meet the attack; to engage in battle.
Pitched battle, one in which the armies are previously drawn up in form, with a regular disposition of the forces.
Wager of battle. See under Wager, n.
Syn: -- Conflict; encounter; contest; action.
Usage: Battle, Combat, Fight, Engagement. These words agree in denoting a close encounter between contending parties. Fight is a word of less dignity than the others. Except in poetry, it is more naturally applied to the encounter of a few individuals, and more commonly an accidental one; as, a street fight. A combat is a close encounter, whether between few or many, and is usually premeditated. A battle is commonly more general and prolonged. An engagement supposes large numbers on each side, engaged or intermingled in the conflict.
pitched battle
n : a fierce battle fought in close combat between troops in
predetermined positions at a chosen time and place