skirmish
/ˈskɜ:mɪʃ; `skəmɪʃ/ n
fight between small groups of soldiers, ships, etc, esp one that is not planned 小规模战斗; 小冲突; （尤指）遭遇战
a brief skirmish on the frontier 边界上的小规模冲突
(fig 比喻) a skirmish between the two party leaders 两党领导人间的摩擦. Cf 参看 pitched battle (pitch2). skirmish, v [I]
take part in a skirmish 进行小规模战斗或冲突.