from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Duel \Du"el\, n. [It. duello, fr. L. duellum, orig., a contest
between two, which passed into the common form bellum war,
fr. duo two: cf. F. duel. See {Bellicose}, {Two}, and cf.
{Duello}.]
A combat between two persons, fought with deadly weapons, by
agreement. It usually arises from an injury done or an
affront given by one to the other.
[1913 Webster]
{Trial by duel} (Old Law), a combat between two persons for
proving a cause; trial by battel.
[1913 Webster]