Duel
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Duel. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a premeditated and prearranged dly combat between two persons with deadly weapons, for the purpose of deciding some private difference or quarrel. The combat generally takes place in the presence of witnesses, called seconds, who make arrangements as to the mode of fighting, place the weapons in the hands of the combatants, and see that the laws they have laid down are carried out. The origin of the practice of duelling is referred to the trial by "wager of battle" which obtained in early ages. This form of duel arose among the Germanic peoples, and a judicial combat of the kind was authorized by Gundebald, King of the Burgundians, as early as 501 A. D. When the judicial combat declined the modern duel arose, being probably to some extent an independent outcome of the spirit and institutions of chivalry. France was the country in which it arose, the 16th century being the time at which it first became common. 6,000 persons fell in duels during 10 years of the reign of Henry IV. In 1602 the king issued a decree against dueling, declaring it punishable with death, but the practice continued. The practice of dueling was introduced into England from France in the reign of James I.; but it was never so common as în the latter country. Cromwell was an enemy of the duel, and during the Protectorate there was a cessation of the practice. It came again into vogue, however, after the Restoration, thanks chiefdated the court. As society became more polished duels became more frequent, and they were never more numerous than in the reign of George III. Among the principals in the fatal duels of this period were Charles James Fox, Sheridan, Pitt, Canning, Castlereagh, the Duke of York, the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Camelford. The last mentioned was the most notorious duelist of his time, and was himself killed in a duel in 1804. A duel was fought between the Duke of Wellington and Lord Winchelsea in 1829, but the practice was dying out. It lasted longest in the army. By English law fatal duelling is considered murder, and the seconds are liable to the same penalty as the principals. An officer in the army having anything to do with a duel renders himself liable to be cashiered. In France duelling still prevails to a certain extent; but the combats are usually very bloodless. In the German army it is common, and is recognized by law. In the United States duels are nearly everywhere prohibited by State laws. In some of the States the killing of a man in a duel is punishable by death or by forfeiture of political rights, and in a large number the sending of a challenge is a felony. In the army and navy it During the Revolution is forbidden. there were a number of duels. Alexander Hamilton was slain by Aaron Burr. Decatur was killed and Barron wounded fighting a duel. Andrew Jackson killed Dickinson, and fought several other duels. Henry Clay and John Randolph fought in 1826. De Witt Clinton was a duelist.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a combat by arrangement between two persons. A challenge and its acceptance are an essential part of a duel. The Pilgrims had scarce landed at Plymouth when a duel was fought by two working-men. Duels were numerous throughout the thirteen colonies, yet persisted longer in the South. In 1804 Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel by Vice-President Aaron Burr. General Jackson killed M. Dickinson in a duel, yet President Jackson dismissed four officers from the navy for engaging in the practice. Colonel Benton, the famous Missouri statesman, killed his man. The various states of the Union have passed laws forbidding the practice. Dueling is said to have originated in western Europe among the peoples of Teutonic descent. In the two centuries following the discovery of America it is estimated that from 2,000 to 6,000 Frenchmen alone fell yearly in duels. In case an opponent became obnoxious it was quite possible to hire an expert swordsman, whose trade it was to pick a quarrel, issue a challenge and run his sword through the body of the objectionable person. Dueling is now rare in France and still rarer in England, but the practice lingers in the German army, and, in the modified form of fencing matches, among the students of the fighting corps of the German universities. See Hamilton ; Clay