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(c) In wrestling, boxing, etc., a term applied to the lightest of the classes into which contestants are divided; -- in contradistinction to light weight, middle weight, and heavy weight. A feather in the cap an honour, trophy, or mark of distinction. [Colloq.] -- To be in full feather, to be in full dress or in one's…

A collective term for all the competitors in any outdoor contest or trial, or for all except the favorites in the betting.

A battle; an engagement; a contest in arms; a combat; a violent conflict or struggle for victory, between individuals or between armies, ships, or navies, etc. Who now defies thee thrice to single fight. Milton.

Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.

At the end or conclusion; ultimately; lastly; as, the contest was long, but the Romans finally conquered. Whom patience finally must crown. Milton.

Contention; strife; scolding; specif., a kind of metrical contest between two persons, popular in Scotland in the 16th century. [Obs. or Scot.]

An exercise in debate; a forensic contest; an argumentative thesis.

Affray; broil; contest; combat. Who began this bloody fray Shak.

b) To obtain influence with. (c) To win ground upon; to move faster than, as in a race or contest. (d) To get the better of; to have the advantage of. The English have not only gained upon the Venetians in the Levant, but have their cloth in Venice itself. Addison. My good behavior had so far gained on the emperor, tha…

A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules, for amusement, recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a game of chance; games of skill; field games, etc. But war's a game, which, were their subject wise, Kings would not play at. Cowper.

To prepare; to make ready; to equip; as, to gird one's self for a contest. Thou hast girded me with strength. Ps. xviii. 39. To gird on, to put on; to fasten around or to one securely, like a girdle; as, to gird on armor or a sword. Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. 1 King…

Of or pertaining to gladiators, or to contests or combatants in general.

Swordplay; fencing; gladiatorial contest. Gayton.

A boxing glove. Boxing glove. See under Boxing. -- Glove fight, a pugilistic contest in wich the fighters wear boxing gloves. -- Glove money or silver. (a) A tip or gratuity to servants, professedly to buy gloves with. (b) (Eng. Law.) A reward given to officers of courts; also, a fee given by the sheriff of a country…

grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another. To grapple with, to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously. And in my standard bear the arms of York, To grapple with the house of Lancaster. Shak.

ertaining to disciplinary exercises for the intellect; athletic; as, gymnastic exercises, contests, etc.

est of progress. Without any halt they marched. Clarendon. [Lovers] soon in passion's war contest, Yet in their march soon make a halt. Davenant.

A hold in which an arm of one contestant is held twisted and bent behind his back by his opponent.

A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.

contested; as, a hard-fought battle.