New Delhi, Feb. 24 -- Today's word, Fisticuffs, is a noun that describes a physical fight using fists. It is widely used in news reporting, historical writing and informal conversation.

Fisticuffs refers to a physical fight in which people punch each other with their fists. In simple terms, the fisticuffs definition describes a brief or sudden scuffle rather than a planned or armed attack.

In modern English vocabulary, the word is often used in news reports to describe minor public fights or heated altercations.

* Phonetic Spelling: FIS-ti-kufs

* IPA Notation: /ˈfɪstɪkʌfs/

The word combines fist and cuff, where "cuff" once meant a blow. It first appeared in English in the early 17th century. The term originally de...