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Definition of "pugilism" [pu•gil•ism]

  • The skill, practice, and sport of fighting with the fists; boxing. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "pugilism" in a sentence
  • "It may be that for a long time some nations will continue to fight each other, but the example of those nations who prefer arbitration to war, law courts to the battlefield, must sooner or later influence the belligerent powers and make war as unpopular as pugilism is now."
  • "I admire the old fashion according to which in English pugilism (which, however, I do not admire) the combatants shook hands before they fought; only I think much time ought not to be spent upon such salutations when there is other work to do. '"
  • "Hillary is a path breaker for future generations of women because she has broken the glass ceiling with her newfound politics of "pugilism"."