▪ I. challenge, n.
(ˈtʃælɪndʒ)
Forms: α. 4–6 calenge, (4 caleng, 6 callenge). β. 4 Sc. challanss, 4–5 chalange, chalaunge, 4–7 chalenge, (4 chaleng, 5 challeng), 5 Sc. chalans, (6 chaling), 6– challenge.
[ME. calenge, chalange, a. OF. ca-, chalenge, -lange, orig. -longe (with many other forms) = Pr. calonja, OSp. caloña:—L. calumnia, trickery, artifice, misrepresentation, false accusation, malicious action at law; prob. f. calvi, calvere to devise tricks. With the phonetic development in OF. cf. that of somnium, songe. OE. had both the Northern F. calenge, and the central F. chalenge; the latter has (as in many other words) survived. Challenge is thus originally the same word as calumny. Some of the senses still in use go back to the ME. and OF. n., but others are taken immediately from the vb., as in blame, etc., so that the sequence is not simple.]
† 1. An accusation, charge, reproach, objection.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 6714 Þe bestis lauerd sal ga quite Of al⁓kines chalange and wite. c 1315 Shoreham 131 Thou hast y⁓broȝt ous out of cry Of calenge of the fende. 1388 Wyclif Jer. vii. 6 If ȝe maken not fals caleng to a comelyng, & to a fadirless child, & to a widewe. 1483 Cath. Angl. 58 A chalange, calumpnia. 1610 J. Guillim Heraldry iii. xv. (1660) 197 Sufficient difference to prevent all causes of Challenge. a 1626 Bacon Max. Com. Law Pref. 2 The incertainty of law..is the principall and most just challenge that is made to the lawes of our nation. 1692 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 1057 He refuses the challenge of the crime, or denies he did commit it. |
2. a. The act of calling to account; esp. the act of a sentry in demanding the countersign.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce viii. 82 But challanss eschapit [he] had, Ne war ane hynt hym by the brand. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 300 b, Peter at the chalenge of a poore handmayde, for feare dyd deny the [= thee] his lorde. 1754 Richardson Grandison V. xlii, The creature..had subjected herself to your challenges. Mod. Startled by the challenge of a sentinel. |
b. Hunting. The opening and crying of hounds at finding the scent; see challenge v.
| In mod. Dicts. |
3. Law. a. ‘An Exception taken, against either persons or things’ (Blount); spec. an objection made to one or more of the jurymen in a trial, as in principal challenge, peremptory challenge, challenge to the array, challenge to the polls, challenge to the favour. Also, an exception taken to a vote, etc.
| [1292 Britton i. ii. §11 Et si defendoms a touz Corouners qe nul remue jurour par chaleng de nule partie.] 1530 1 Act 22 Hen. VIII, c. 14 §8 No person arrained for any pety treason, murder, or felony be..admitted to any peremytorie chalenge aboue the nombre of xx. 1607–72 Cowell's Interpr., Challenge principal, otherwise called peremptory, is that which the Law alloweth without cause alledged, or farther examination..peremptory being used onely in matters Criminal, and alledged without other cause than barely the Prisoners fancy; but principal in civil Actions for the most part, and with naming some such cause of exception, as being found true, the Law alloweth without farther scanning. 1660 Trial Regic. 32 If you will not agree in your Challenges, we must be forced to Try you severally. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 359 As the jurors appear..they shall be sworn, unless challenged by either party. Challenges are of two sorts; challenges to the array and challenges to the polls..Challenges to the array are at once an exception to the whole panel, in which the jury are arrayed. Ibid. 361 Challenges to the polls, in capita, are exceptions to particular jurors. Ibid. 363 Challenges to the favour, are where the party hath no principal challenge; but objects only some probable circumstances of suspicion, as acquaintance, and the like. 1853 Wharton Pa. Digest II. 115 Interest in a juror is a principal cause of challenge. |
b. E. Ind. (See quot.)
| 1858 J. B. Norton Topics 198 Another check..is the right of ‘challenge’..long..recognised in this district..Any ryot who imagines that his wealthier neighbour's field is more lightly assessed than his own, offers to take it at a higher rate, claiming a corresponding reduction for his poorer holding. |
4. A calling in question or disputing; the state of being called in question.
| 1820 Scott Monast. xvi, Whatever schemes may be pursued for bringing her title into challenge. |
† 5. A claim; the act of demanding as a right. In early use, often, a false claim. Obs.
| c 1314 Guy Warw. A. 5466 Swithe thai priked..Chalaunge on Herhaud to legge. 1340 Ayenb. 34 Of þe rote of auarice guoþ out manye smale roten..þe þridde roberye. Þe uerþe chalenge. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 68 Chalaunge or cleyme, vendicacio. 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1862) 295 To Maude so soone as ever she made her chalenge to the Crowne. 1613 Purchas Pilgr. I. vii. ii. 556 They lay challenge to Jerusalem for their inheritance. 1750 Johnson Rambl. No. 1 ¶10 A publick challenge of honours and rewards. |
6. a. An invitation or summons to a trial or contest of any kind; a defiance.
| c 1325 Coer de L. 525 When none wolde..With schafft to him make chalenge, etc. 1551 Edw. VI. Jrnl. in Lit. Rem. (1858) II. 312, I lost the chaling of shoting at roundes, and wane at rovers. 1649 Bp. Reynolds Hosea vii. 157 The pride and wrath of man to give a chalenge to the justice and power of God. 1722 Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. iv. 314 The Baptists sent him a letter by way of challenge, that they would discourse with him. 1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & B. II. xi. 275 His whole countenance is a challenge to scrutiny. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits xi. Wks. (Bohn) II. 80 A challenge to duty and honour. 1879 M{supc}Carthy Own Times II. xxix. 387 It was a challenge to established beliefs and prejudices. |
b. In weakened use: a difficult or demanding task, esp. one seen as a test of one's abilities or character.
| 1954 W. Faulkner Fable 23 It was not that his trained professional judgment told him that the affair..would be touch-and-go and hence more than doubtful..that would have been a challenge, as if the old destiny had not abandoned him at all. 1957 A. E. Stevenson New Amer. iii. iv. 147 One of tomorrow's great challenges will be to make good use of what will very possibly be a greatly increased leisure. 1966 Hockey Coaching (Hockey Association) 5 The game of hockey in this country is facing a real challenge. 1972 E. Longford Wellington xxii. 340 Today the Martyrs' Memorial stands like a rock of tranquillity in the roaring currents of the twentieth century, an occasional challenge to the climbing skills of students, pot in hand. 1979 D. Halberstam Powers that Be (1980) i. ii. 71 He almost seemed to welcome the challenge of the war, it would test America's worthiness. |
7. spec. A summons to fight, esp. to single combat or duel.
| 1530 Palsgr. 202/2 Calenge or provokyng to do armes, chalenge. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. (1887) 151 He must abyde both chalenge and combate with all the rest. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iii. iv. 157 Heere's the Challenge, reade it. 1660–1 Marvell Corr. xvi. Wks. 1872–5 II. 48 Upon some words Gen. Mountagu sent a chalenge to the Duke of Buckingham. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 167 Challenges to fight, either by word or letter..are punishable by fine and imprisonment. 1838 Marryat Midsh. Easy xxii, It was not in Captain Tartar's nature to refuse a challenge. |
8. attrib.
| 1813 Scott Trierm. iii. x, The valiant Knight of Triermain Rung forth his challenge-blast again. |
9. A dose of an antigen given, by injection or other means, to an animal or person that has been sensitized to it by a previous dose. Also attrib.
| 1950 Yale Jrnl. Biol. & Med. XXIII. 29 Thephorin was injected intra-abdominally 15 minutes before the challenge with histamine. 1952 Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. LXXXI. 110/1 Even after 10 days a high mortality rate results following antigenic challenge of a series of mice sensitized with a mixture of horse serum and vaccine. 1964 W. G. Smith Allergy & Tissue Metabolism i. 5 The second injection of antigen, which brings about anaphylactic shock, is termed the challenge dose. |
▪ II. challenge, v.
(ˈtʃælɪndʒ)
Forms: α. 3 kalange-n, kalenge-n, 3–5 calange(n, 3–6 calenge(n. β. 3–6 chalange, 3–7 chalenge, 4 chalaunge, -unge, -inge, -ynge, -ang, schalange, ? chalain, (4–5 Sc. challanss, 6 chaleng, chalynch, challynge, Sc. challance, 6–7 challeng), 7 challendge, 5– challenge.
[ME. kalange-n, chalange-n, a. OF. ca-, chalonger, -langer, -lenger (with numerous variant forms) = Pr. calonjar, OSp. caloñar:—late L. calumniāre, for calumniāri to accuse falsely, f. calumnia: see prec. Cf. F. songer from L. somniāre.]
† 1. a. trans. To accuse, bring a charge against, arraign, impeach. Also absol. Obs. (or ? dial.)
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 54 Hwarof kalenges tu me? 1340 Ayenb. 43 Þe zenne..of sergons þet accuseþ and calengeþ þet poure uolc. 1375 Barbour Bruce xix. 60 Gud schir dauid the brechyne Thai gert challanss richt stratly syne. c 1449 Pecock Repr. v. xiv. 558 If eny man wolde chalenge a frere. 1580 Sidney Arcadia ii. 169 To be challenged of unkindness. 1593 Queen Elizabeth Sp. in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 261 The king of Spain doth challenge me to be the quarreller, and the beginner of all these wars. 1649 Bp. Guthrie Mem. (1702) 75 The E. of Stafford was Challeng'd and made Prisoner. 1655 Fuller Waltham Abb. 6 Let none challenge the words of impropriety. 1693 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 321 To challenge, or accuse one. |
† b. To lay (an offence) to one's charge, accuse one of. Obs.
| 1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 279 Seyn Dunston..kalangede her mys-dede. a 1340 Hampole Psalter lv[i]. 6 If þai myght chalange oght in vs. 1485 Caxton Trevisa's Higden iv. xxxiii. (1527) 180 b, Unwyse handelynge is chalenged of the. |
2. a. To find fault with, reprove, reprehend; to call upon to answer for something, or to give account of oneself; to call to account. Now only dial. exc. as in b.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 19148 Es it..resun þat we Calanged [v.r. chalaunged, schalanged, chalanged] for ur gode dede be? 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 174 [I] am chalanged in þe chapitel hous, as I a childe were. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 68 Chalengyn or vndyrtakyn, reprehendo. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxiv. §6 Why were they dumb, being thus challenged? 1642 R. Harris Serm. 20 If God fill not every vessell, challenge him upon that his word, Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. a 1714 Burnet Own Time II. 411 He was warned of it, and challenged him on it. 1855 Scotticisms corrected 10 His father never challenged him for lying. Mod. Sc. I have never been challenged for crossing these fields. |
b. Said of a sentinel; and in derived fig. uses.
| 1796 Southey Joan of Arc vi. 50 The sentinel..with uplifted lance Challenged the darkling travellers. 1833 Reg. Instr. Cavalry i. 28 On any one approaching his post, he must challenge them by the words ‘Who comes there’? 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. i. 44 In the country every unknown face was challenged and examined. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 6 No blue space in its outspread..challenged my emerging head. |
c. Also said of the hounds giving mouth on finding a scent.
| 1677 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat. i. (1706) 17 When Hounds or Beagles at first finding the Scent of their Game presently open and cry, we then say, they Challenge. 1751 in Chambers Cycl. s.v. Hunting. 1781 P. Beckford Hunting (1802) 238 It is a great pleasure, when a hound challenges, to be certain that he is right. |
3. Law. To object or take exception to (a juryman, evidence, etc.); to take an initial exception to (any proceeding). Also absol.
| [1292 Britton i. v. §8 Et cum..les jurours soint venuz en court, si porunt il estre chalengez: Sire, il n' i deit estre, car mei endita, etc.] c 1570 Thynne Pride & Lowl. (1841) 17 Ye may him chalenge from your jury. 1572 Fulke Heskins' Parl. 389 We may lawfully chalenge the aray, being enpanelled by..a partial shirif. 1772 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 104/2 The corporation objected to the whole jury, which in law language is called challenging the array. c 1781 Trial George Gordon 8 When the panel was called over a second time, the prisoner by his counsel, peremptorily challenged nineteen, and the Attorney-General for the Crown, challenged seven. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 87 Anybody may challenge on the ground that so and so is unfit. 1883 Law Rep. XI. Queen's B. Div. 598 The evidence of the women was accepted and not challenged. |
4. To call in question, dispute.
| c 1386 Chaucer Wife's T. 344 Povert is..Possessioun that no wight wil chalenge. 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. iii. xi. 189 Whether the lordes by whos landes a kynge..muste passe may challenge hym the passage. 1625 Bp. R. Montagu App. Cæsar 1 Whatsoever they have challenged and articled against in their accusation. 1825 Scott Talism. ii, I were wrong to challenge..the privilege of thy speech, since boasting is more natural to thee than truth. 1869 Huxley in Sci. Opinion 5 May 486/2 As a temporary measure, I do not presume to challenge its wisdom. |
5. To assert one's title to, lay claim to, demand as a right, claim for, arrogate (to obs.) oneself. arch. or Obs. a. with simple object. arch.
| a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Hom. 275 Þi derue deað o rode..calenges al mi heorte. c 1300 K. Alis. 7512 Heo is my qwene; Y hire chalenge. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 596 Nat that I chalenge eny thing of right Of yow, my soverayn lady, but youre grace. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. iv. (1520) 31/1 To calenge the trybute whiche they did denye. 1513 More Edw. V, 3 [He] began not by warre, but by Law to challenge the crown. 1549 Coverdale Erasm. Par. 1 Peter i. 21 That we should therby chalenge no prayse vnto our selues. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 298 It is for the French King, who is here taken prisoner, and there are mo then .x. knights and squires that challenge the taking of him and of his sonne. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 1, I challenge no thankes for what I publish. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. i. (1736) 13 These Urns will challenge above 1300 Years. 1699 Bentley Phal. 329 A Gentleman that challenges the Title of Honourable. 1746 Smollett Reproof 7 An injured friend!—who challenges the name? If you, what Title justifies the claim? 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) I. iii. 140 Causes which led them to challenge Imperial rank. |
† b. with inf. as object. Obs.
| c 1300 K. Alis. 7303 Ye chalangith al to habbe. 138. Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 220 Men that calengen here to be evene wiþ Crist. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 190 As thou challengest to be noble in bloud, etc. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts 483 Can yee challenge to possesse the land? 1683 Pennsylv. Archives I. 70 Where he challenged..to have spoak so. |
† c. with object clause. Obs.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 76 Nowe clerkis..chalungen to hem þat only it perteniþ to hem to punisch symony, etc. 1660 Fuller Mixt Contempl. i. (1841) 197 If fifth monarchy men challenge to themselves that they must be exempted from their obedience. |
† d. with object and complement. Obs.
| c 1450 Lonelich Grail xxxvii. 717 For his love that ye calangen youre lord, I schal yow socowren. 1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 4 b, Fendes chalengynge hym theyres as by ryght. 1559 Bp. Scot in Strype Ann. Ref. I. ii. App. vii. 15 Challynging Christe to be ther foundation. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. i. iv. §9 The Chronicle of Westminster challengeth the same to be done in their Convent. |
† e. absol.
| 1605 Shakes. Lear i. i. 54. |
6. a. fig. To have a natural right or claim to; to demand, to call for. arch.
| 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. ii. (1586) 89 b, The Peare..chalengeth the nexte place, and is one of the cheefest beauties of the Orcharde. 1622 Fletcher Sp. Curate iii. iii, Whose honest cause..Will challenge Iustice. 1648 Evelyn Corr. (1857) III. 10 Yours of the 6th and 9th of May received, challenges this account from me. 1673 Ray Journ. Low C. 4 Bruges..may well challenge place among the Cities of the second rate in Europe. a 1704 T. Brown Eng. Sat. Wks. 1730 I. 26 Horace and Juvenal..challenge a superiority above all the rest. |
b. Now esp. To claim (some responsive action or recognition on the part of others, e.g. attention, regard, respect, approbation, admiration).
| 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 33 The Aquæduct made by the Emperour Valentinian..doth principally challeng remembrance. 1691 Ray Creation ii. (1704) 455 Our better part challenges our greatest care and diligence. 1766 Anstey Bath Guide viii. 42 Men..That challenge Respect from all Persons of Birth. 1787 Bonnycastle Astron. i. 3 Astronomy..has challenged the admiration of all ages. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) II. 71 Unless his merit should challenge the popular approbation. 1841 Myers Cath. Th. iv. §32. 330 A strange thing—one sufficiently anomalous to challenge attention. |
7. a. To summon or invite defiantly to a contest or any trial of daring or skill; to defy, dare. (Often to do something, or to an action.) Freq. in fig. contexts, esp. in weakened sense ‘to present a challenge to’.
| 1513 Douglas æneis v. xiii. 7 South pipand windis..Challancis to pas on burd. 1529 More Comf. agst. Trib. ii. Wks. 1178/2 Euery man that feeleth him selfe challenged and prouoked by temptacion. 1633 P. Fletcher Pisc. Ecl. i. vii, I durst to challenge all my fisher-peers. 1671 Milton Samson 1151, I..challenge Dagon to the test. 1769 Lett. Junius xix. 85 We..are challenged to produce a precedent. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St. Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 368 Challenge the son of Tendal to a competition in song with you. 1855 Kingsley Heroes, Theseus ii. 211 He challenges all comers to wrestle with him. 1866 ― Herew. x. 151 You must not challenge me to find it out. 1927 V. Woolf To Lighthouse iii. iv. 245 Form, were it only the shape of a white lamp-shade looming on a wicker table, roused one to perpetual combat, challenged one to a fight in which one was bound to be worsted. 1963 J. Wiesenfarth Henry James v. 105 The narrator's theory is challenged by Grace Brissenden's. 1965 A. J. P. Taylor Eng. Hist. 1914–45 i. 28 Lloyd George spoke publicly in all-out support for the war. From that moment, he challenged Asquith... Unconsciously, perhaps even unwillingly, he was offering himself as the man who could run the war better. 1973 E. F. Schumacher Small is Beautiful ii. i. 77, I [sc. C. P. Snow] was asking something which is about the scientific equivalent of: ‘Have you read a work of Shakespeare's?’ Such a statement challenges the entire basis of our civilisation. |
b. To invite (emulous, hostile, or critical action of any kind). (Cf. 6 b.)
| 1614 Bp. Hall Recoll. Treatises 770 Wee doe utterly deny it, and challenge your proofe. 1663 Gerbier Counsel D iv a, Your Apollo's Oracle-like Arcenall, may challenge the most sublime proffers of men of parts. 1718 Free-thinker No. 75. 142 Prudence is a real Perfection, which Challenges the nicest Observation. 1850 Prescott Peru II. 205 Such a one as might have challenged comparison with the bravest of his ancestors. 1873 Black Pr. Thule xiv. 226 They could challenge criticism with an easy confidence. 1882 J. H. Blunt Ref. Ch. Eng. II. 283 Challenging controversy in every possible way. |
8. spec. a. To call upon to answer an imputation by combat; to summon to fight, or to a duel.
| 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 696 Hector will challenge him. 1601 ― Twel. N. iii. ii. 36 Challenge me the Counts youth to fight with him. 1655–60 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 37/1 Pittacus..challeng'd Phryno to single Combat. 1839 Thirlwall Greece II. 166 With the intention..of challenging him to a conflict. Mod. The officer challenged his rival. |
b. intr. or absol.
| c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 399 Y chalenge wiþ þe to fiȝt. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 125 They challenge, and encounter Breast to Breast. 1762 Churchill Ghost i. 297 So he that challenges might write Only to those who would not fight. |
† c. to challenge a person the field. Obs.
| [1556 Chron. G. Friars (1852) 7 Roberte of Vere chalynched them in the felde and was overcome.] 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. iii. 136 To challenge him the field, and then to breake promise with him. 1693 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 477 The disagreement grew so high, that they challenged the field one of another. [Ibid. 601 To challenge one into the field: in arenam provocare.] |
9. To give a dose that constitutes a challenge (see prec.) to (an animal or person);
| 1946 [see challenging ppl. a.] 1962 Luntz & Wright in A. Pirie Lens Metabolism Rel. Cataract 322 Leucocytes from each group of guinea-pigs were transferred to normal guinea-pigs who were then challenged with lens protein. 1966 W. C. Boyd Fund. Immunol. (ed. 4) xvii. 729 If we are testing the immunizing effect of an antigen, we shall challenge our animals, after a suitable interval, with a dose of the infectious micro-organism, or with a toxic product of this organism. |
Hence ˈchallenged ppl. a., ˈchallenging vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 173 Isaak a partie had mad a chalangyng. c 1440 Ipomydon 1280 Sithe I was not at the justynge, I will not be at the chalengynge. 1578 Thynne Let. in Animadv. Introd. (1865) 59, I haue thought yt my chalenged dutye..by penne to desplay my inwarde mynde. 1697 [see challenger b.]. 1825 Bentham Ration. Rew. 20 The practice..in many schools, called challenging..he who stands at the head of the class begins the exercise: does he make a mistake, the next to him in succession corrects him and takes his place. 1842 H. E. Manning Serm. (1848) I. vii. 94 The whole inmost soul is bent into a challenging array. 1946 Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. LXIII. 189/2, 210 mice were sensitized..by 4 consecutive intraperitoneal injections of 1 ml each of undiluted horse serum every other day. Twenty-one days later a challenging dose of 1 ml. of undiluted horse serum..was injected intravenously. 1969 Times 7 July 5/7 It has been possible to treat challenged lungs with drugs known to have an effect in reducing inflammation. 1975 Aviation Week & Space Technol. 27 Jan. 63 Clearly the most challenging problem facing the ECM strategist today is to operate efficiently and effectively in a high-density threat environment. 1985 Aerospace America May b54 The innovative techniques evolving in the application of new technology in solving the challenging problems in today's flight test program. |
Add: b. euphem. Of a person: disabled or handicapped, esp. physically. orig. and chiefly N. Amer.
| 1985 N.Y. Times 20 Apr. i. 26/3 The disabled skiers, whom Mr. Kennedy prefers to call ‘physically challenged’, achieve speeds on difficult runs that would be daunting to most competitors. 1986 Publishers Weekly 10 Jan. 4/1 (Advt.), This bestselling author [sc. R. Simmons] of The Never Say Diet Book creates a comprehensive fitness program for the physically challenged. 1987 Los Angeles Times 4 Oct. vii. 3/5 Dee Duncan has discovered the tremendous value of travel for what she fondly calls ‘mentally challenged’ individuals. 1989 Computer Bull. Mar. 10/1 Rank Xerox itself has provided office systems equipment..which has been used to provide IT skills training to those who are physically challenged. |