[Vocabulary] Embattled- contrast in definitions provided on various websites.

[Sheikh_14]

Hi My question here is regarding the rather contradictory definitions of the word that is provided on websites such as Oxford advanced dictionary and Merriam Webster's which has led me to want to inquire whether embattled can also mean ready for a fight as implied by Merriam Websters. Whereas, previously I had only percieved its usage in the context of a place either being under heavy assault or a person/thing being hugely lambasted.

Therefore, essentially the crux of what I am asking is can embattled be used to mean that somebody is now very much willing to fight i.e. in a combative mood the example displayed by Webster's is the following
: ready to fight : prepared to give battle <here once the embattled farmers stood — R. W. Emerson>.

If so could you provide an example of your own bearing in mind the fashion in which i intend to use the term i.e. an alacrity or readiness to fight which in many cases does succeed the state of being embattled of the other kind if you can make sense of that comment.

 

[Sheikh_14]

Any help here would be terribly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Raymott]

I've never heard it used to mean "ready for battle". Emerson's use is probably dated.

 

[Sheikh_14]

Thats what I thought however usually when a definition is archaic it is referred as such. Never the less simply by reading the definition above from an authoritative and venerable source would it mean that such a use is viable just very rare or have I gravely misunderstood the definition given above which seems unlikely it is rather straightforward.

Thanking you in advance

 

[Sheikh_14]

A big thumbs up to he/she who cracks this rather eccentric question . Its just a matter of curiosity but its grating my mind.

 

[5jj]

The militia were indeed ready for battle, but there is little evidence in the poem itself that this is what Emerson meant.

In real life, the British tried to capture military supplies; the militia tried to stop them. There was fighting, and the militia, outnumbered, had to fall back initially. I think the militia were 'embattled' in the sense that most of us understand it.

 

[Sheikh_14]

Indeed and I understand your point sufficiently here is another definition from Embattled | Define Embattled at Dictionary.com which seems quite familiar with the one on Webster's if I am wrong please point out
[h=2]em·bat·tled[/h] [em-bat-ld] Show IPA
adjective1.disposed or prepared for battle.


[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It also delienates the verb embattle as:[/FONT]

to arrange in order of battle; prepare for battle; arm.

The two seem to lead in the same direction of the word having a dual meaning one which is rarely used and another which has attained wide currency.

While in relation to the word embattled and not necessarily the obscure definition mentioned above could you say someone was embattled by something i.e. apprehension or criticism to show that he/she was vexed/beset by something or would you have to use embattled alone.