I.v. dep. n. [rixa], to quarrel, brawl, wrangle, dispute.
I. Lit. (rare but class.): “multo cum sanguine saepe rixantes,” Lucr. 6, 1286: cum esset cum eo de amiculā rixatus, * Cic. de Or. 2, 59, 240: “de lanā caprinā,” Hor. Ep. 1, 18, 15. — Absol.: “non pugnat sed rixatur (orator),” Tac. Or. 26: “rixantis modo,” Quint. 11, 3, 172; 6, 4, 9.—
II. Transf., in gen., to oppose; to clash, disagree, conflict: “(herbae) dum tenerae sunt vellendae, prius enim aridae factae rixantur,” i. e. offer resistance, Varr. R. R. 1, 47: “rami arborum inter se,” i. e. to grow across each other, Plin. 16, 2, 2, § 6: “consonantes asperiores in commissura verborum rixantur,” Quint. 9, 4, 37: “cum ore concurrente rixari,” id. 11, 3, 121 (for which, colluctatio); id. 11, 3, 121, § 56: “cum theatro saeculoque,” Mart. 9, 27, 9: “dum inter se non rixentur cupiditas et timor,” Sen. Ep. 56, 5.?*! Act. collat. form rixo , āre, Varr. ap. Non. 477, 22 sq.