Monomachy
/məˈnɒməkɪ/noun
A combat or contest between two people, especially a formal single combat.
Did you know?In ancient Greek literature, monomachy could describe both heroic duels—such as those in epic poetry—and formal combat used to settle disputes or display honor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sem-
“One; together as a single unit, an ancestral root associated with Greek heis and related forms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μόνος (monos)
“Alone; solitary; single.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μάχη (makhē)
“Battle; fight; combat.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μονομαχία (monomakhia)
“Single combat or a duel, literally combat between one and one.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
monomachia
“Single combat; a Greek-derived term used in Latin scholarly and religious writing.”
17th Century
English
monomachy
“A single combat or duel; an English borrowing from Greek through learned European usage.”
Explore more surprising origins