|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
challenge
chal·lenge / ˈchalənj/ • n. 1. a call to take part in a contest or competition, esp. a duel: he accepted the challenge. ∎ a task or situation that tests someone's abilities. ∎ an attempt to win a contest or championship in a sport: a world title challenge. 2. an objection or query as to the truth of something, often with an implicit demand for proof: a challenge to the legality of the order. ∎ a sentry's call for a password or other proof of identity. ∎ Law an objection regarding the eligibility or suitability of a jury member. 3. Med. exposure of the immune system to pathogenic organisms or antigens. • v. [tr.] 1. invite (someone) to engage in a contest: he challenged one of my men to a duel. ∎ enter into competition with or opposition against. ∎ make a rival claim to or threaten someone's hold on (a position): they were challenging his leadership. ∎ [tr.] invite (someone) to do something that one thinks will be difficult or impossible; dare: I challenged them to make up their own minds. ∎ [usu. as adj.] (challenging) test the abilities of: challenging and rewarding employment. 2. dispute the truth or validity of: employees challenged the company's requirement. ∎ Law object to (a jury member). ∎ (of a sentry) call on (someone) for proof of identity. 3. Med. expose (the immune system) to pathogenic organisms or antigens. DERIVATIVES: chal·lenge·a·ble adj. chal·leng·er n. chal·leng·ing·ly adv. ORIGIN: Middle English (in the senses ‘accusation’ and ‘accuse’): from Old French chalenge (noun), chalenger (verb), from Latin calumnia ‘calumny,’ calumniari ‘calumniate.’ |
|
|
Cite this article
"challenge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "challenge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-challenge.html "challenge." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-challenge.html |
|
challenge
challenge †accusation XIII; †claim; invitation to a contest XIV; legal exception taken XVI. ME. c(h)alenge — OF. :- L. calumnia false accusation, malicious action at law (see CALUMNY).
So challenge vb. XIII. ME. c(h)alange — OF. c(h)alengier :- L. calumniārī CALUMNIATE. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "challenge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "challenge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-challenge.html T. F. HOAD. "challenge." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-challenge.html |
|
challenge
challenge
•Falange, flange
•avenge, henge, revenge, Stonehenge
•arrange, change, counterchange, estrange, exchange, grange, interchange, Lagrange, mange, part-exchange, range, short-change, strange
•binge, cringe, fringe, hinge, impinge, singe, springe, swinge, syringe, tinge, twinge, whinge
•challenge • orange • scavenge
•lozenge • blancmange
•lounge, scrounge
•blunge, expunge, grunge, gunge, lunge, plunge, scunge, sponge
|
|
|
Cite this article
"challenge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "challenge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-challenge.html "challenge." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-challenge.html |
|