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鏖戦 (おうせん, ousen) Japanese meaning: fierce battle | Kotomora

鏖おう戦せん

Meanings

1

fierce battle; bloody fight

rare term

Rare literary term for a brutal, all-out battle. Mostly encountered in historical or dramatic writing.

両りょう軍ぐんは平へい原げんで鏖おう戦せんを繰くり広ひろげた。
The two armies fought a fierce battle on the plain.

Kanji

鏖massacre, annihilation
戦war, battle, match

Related words

激げき戦せん
激戦 is the common modern word for a fierce battle or close contest. 鏖戦 is a rare literary synonym with a heavier, more archaic feel.

Etymology

The kanji 鏖 means 'to slaughter' or 'massacre', and 戦 means 'battle'. The compound is a rare literary term for a fierce, bloody battle. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.