I.a fight fist to fist, man to man; hence, in gen., a fight between individuals or armies, a battle, combat, action, engagement (cf.: dimicatio, proelium).
I. Lit.: “dictator eam pugnam laudibus tulit (of the single combat of Torquatus),” Liv. 7, 10 fin.: “nonnumquam res ad manus atque ad pugnam veniebat,” came to blows, Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 11, § 28; Liv. 2, 46: “diuturnitate pugnae defessi proelio excedebant,” Caes. B. G. 3, 4, 3: “alii nuntiant dictatori omnes legiones Etruscorum capessisse pugnam,” Liv. 10, 5, 41: “ex omnibus pugnis (Pompeii), quae sunt innumerabiles,” Cic. Mur. 16, 34: “exitus pugnarum,” id. Mil. 21, 56: “equestris,” a cavalry action, Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 55, § 122: “magna,” Liv. 22, 7: “pedestris,” Verg. A. 11, 707: “Actia,” Hor. Ep. 1, 18, 61: “navalis,” Nep. Arist. 2, 1: “gladiatorum,” Suet. Aug. 45: “prospera,” Suet. Calig. 35: “mala,” Sall. J. 56, 3; Cic. Div. 2, 25, 54: “singularis,” a duel, Macr. S. 5, 2.—
II. Transf.
A. Troops drawn up for battle, a line of battle (rare): “ordinata per principes hastatosque ac triarios pugna,” Liv. 22, 5: “mediam pugnam tueri,” the middle line, central division, id. 22, 45; cf.: “segregat pugnam eorum,” id. 1, 25: “pugnam mutare,” Curt. 3, 2, 14.—
B. A battle, contest, dispute, quarrel, in gen. (rare but class.): “dabo aliam pugnam magnam,” Plaut. Ps. 1, 5, 110: “pugnam conserui seni,” id. Bacch. 4, 9, 43; Ter. Eun. 5, 2, 60: “quanta pugna est doctissimorum hominum,” Cic. Div. 2, 51, 105: “initurus forensium certaminum pugnam,” Quint. 5, 12, 22; 8, 6, 1; 5, 7, 35: “pugna inter testem et patronum,” id. 6, 4, 21: “rerum naturae pugna secum,” Plin. 2, 33, 38, § 102: “audiet pugnas juventus,” stories of battle, Hor. C. 1, 2, 23: “pugnas bibit aure vulgus,” id. ib. 2, 13, 31.—In mal. part., Mart. 10, 38, 6.
