The practice of fighting formal combats between two people to settle disputes or defend honor.
From Medieval Latin duellum, a variant of Latin bellum meaning 'war,' influenced by duo meaning 'two.' The practice formalized in the 15th century with elaborate codes of honor governing when and how such fights could occur.
Dueling represents a fascinating paradox - highly ritualized violence governed by strict etiquette, where the form of the fight often mattered more than the outcome. Many famous historical figures, from Alexander Hamilton to Pushkin, met their deaths in duels, making this practice both a symbol of honor culture and its ultimate folly.
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