battle scar

noun

: a scar from a wound suffered in battle

… a man removed his Yankees cap to show a battle scar—received, he said, when he was a 14-year-old carrying a Kalashnikov in Lebanon's civil war.

—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2005

—often used figuratively

As forerunners of third-wave American folk music, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers now bear many battle scars from their run-ins with pop culture in the 20 years they've been performing.

—Karen Iris Tucker, The Advocate, 30 Mar. 2004

battle-scarred adjective

As battle-scarred gamblers are fond of saying, the only way to be sure you come out ahead is to buy the casino.

—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 1 Aug. 2005

Word History

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now