Combat
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2008-06-06T01:35:20Z
76.187.173.134
{{redirect|Fight}}{{otheruses}}
{{unreferenced|date=December 2007}}
[[Image:Combate naval.jpg|thumb|right|300px|"Combate Naval de Iquique" - oil on canvas painting by Thomas Somerscales, XIX century]]
'''Combat''', or '''fighting''', is purposeful [[violence|violent]] [[conflict]] intended to establish [[dominance (biology)|dominance]] over the [[opposition]].
The term "combat" ([[French language|French]] for ''fight'') typically refers to armed conflict between [[military force]]s in [[war]]fare, whereas the more general term "fighting" can refer to any violent conflict, including [[boxing]] and [[wrestling]] matches, or street fighting. Combat violence can be unilateral, whereas fighting implies at least a defensive reaction. However, the terms are often used [[synonym]]ously.
Combat may take place under a certain set of [[law|rule]]s or be unregulated. Examples of rules include the [[Geneva Conventions]] (covering the treatment of soldiers in war), medieval [[Chivalry]], and the [[Marquess of Queensberry rules]] (covering boxing).
Combat in [[war]]fare involves two or more opposing [[military]] organizations, usually fighting for nations at war (although [[guerrilla warfare]] and suppression of [[insurgencies]] can fall outside this definition). Warfare falls under the [[laws of war]], which govern its purposes and conduct, and protect the rights of [[soldiers]] and [[non-combatants]].
Combat may be armed (using [[weapon]]s) or unarmed (not using [[weapon]]s). [[Hand-to-hand combat]] ([[mêlée]]) is combat at very close range, feeling the opponent with the
body ([[Strike (attack)|striking]], [[kick]]ing, [[strangling]], etc.) and/or with a [[mêlée weapon]] ([[knife|knives]], [[sword]]s, [[Club (weapon)|baton]]s, etc.), as opposed to firing.
[[Hand-to-hand combat]] can be further divided into three sections depending on the distance and positioning of the combatants:
*[[Stand-up fighting]]
*[[Clinch fighting]]
*[[Ground fighting]]
[[Category:Combat| ]]
[[Category:War]]
[[de:Gefecht]]
[[fr:Combat]]
[[pt:Combate]]
[[ro:Luptă]]
[[sk:Boj]]
[[sr:Борба]]
[[sv:Slagsmål]]
[[uk:Бій]]