the blood of either of the combatants drawn first in a fight; (figurative) the first point or advantage gained in a contest.

Swordsmanship, Boxing, etc. A posture of defence; hence, the weapons or arms in such a posture. at open guard: in a position which leaves the…

A feigned or false attack. Also in phrases in feint, to make a feint. Fencing and Boxing. A blow, cut, or thrust aimed at a part other than that…

in Wrestling, Boxing, and Judo. in holds, at grips.

The action of shift, v. in various senses. Boxing and Fencing. (See quots.)

Boxing. A sustained exchange of blows. Also: a separate bout.

Boxing slang. A blow on the mouth. Obsolete.

Boxing. An attack consisting of two punches delivered in rapid succession with alternate hands. Also attributive in one-two punch, and in…

Pugilism. A guard or attack that prevents a blow from getting home.

A person's left hand.

the action of the verb, an instance of this.

In material senses. Pugilism. A knock-down blow.

A blow on the mouth.

slang (originally Boxing). A blow on or about the ribs. Now rare.

A blow on the stomach.

Boxing slang. A telling blow. Obsolete.

In pugilism: Fighting or boxing at close quarters; the practice of getting close up to an opponent: cf. quot. 1812 at in, adv. 13. Also figurative…

Boxing slang. The practice or tactic of hitting a person on the mouth. Obsolete. rare.

Pugilism. (See weave, v.2 4.)

Fighting that is not done at close quarters; skirmishing.

(a) Sport a protective covering for the arm; (b) Boxing a defensive position of the arm (now rare).

The action of counter, v.1

Pugilism. A blow delivered as the adversary leads off; really a time-hit, which, if stronger than the adverse one, secures the advantage.

spec. in Boxing (see clinch, v.1 2e).

slang and regional. Chiefly in plural (a) A leg; (b) an arm, esp. as extended in boxing; (hence) a straight hit (now rare).

spec. in Boxing. Grappling at close quarters or holding after an exchange of blows.

Boxing. An attack consisting of a blow delivered with the right hand followed by a blow delivered with the left hand. Cf. right, n. 17b, left, n. 1a.

= sense 13b above.

Boxing. A short swinging blow with the elbow bent. Also transferred.

Boxing. A blow that crosses over the opponent's lead. Also in extended use.

Boxing. The first punch thrown (of two or more) (see also quot. 1954).

A blow in boxing. Also in to pass a jolt, to deliver a blow. Also figurative.

Boxing. A punch delivered with a sweep of the arm; a swinging blow. Also in general colloquial use, esp. in to take a swing at (someone).

Originally and chiefly Boxing. A blow to the body; = body blow n. (a) at body, n. compounds 2.

Originally and chiefly Boxing. A blow to the head.

Also bolo punch. An upper cut in pugilism.

Boxing. A swift backward movement of the body to evade an opponent's blow.

a return blow, esp. one that exploits a momentary lack of defence; also figurative.

The action of performing rapid footwork in place, intended to confuse, distract, or demoralize an opponent. Cf. rope-a-dope, n.

A tactic intended to fatigue an opponent, whereby a boxer leans against the ropes in order to induce the opponent to throw tiring, ineffective…