fisticuff

noun

fist·​i·​cuff

ˈfistə̇ˌkəf,

-tēˌ-

plural -s

1

: a blow with the fist or hand

2

fisticuffs plural but singular or plural in construction : a fight with the fists : boxing

intervillage or camp disputes were settled by fisticuffs

—R. P. Schaedel

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier fisty cuff, from fisty + cuff (blow)

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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