Obs. exc. dial. [OE. campian, cǫmpian, f. camp fight: a parallel formation to Du. kampen:—WGer. type *kampôjan. The other langs. have forms from WGer. *kampjan, viz. MDu. kempen, OHG. chamfen, chemfan, MHG. kemphen, kempfen, Ger. kämpfen; also Icel. kęppa (:—*kampja), Sw. kämpa, Da. kæmpe, whence north. Eng. KEMP.]
1. intr. To fight; to contend in battle. Cf. KEMP.
(The rare 16th-c. instance, may belong to CAMP v.2)
c. 1000. Guthlac, 316 (Gr.). Sceal oretta a … gode compian.
[a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 2634. There es no kynge undire Criste may kempe with hym one.]
1562. Leigh, Armorie (1597), 61. Aristotle affirmeth that Rauens will gather together on sides, and campe and fight for victorie.
2. To contend in athletic contests; also trans., as in to camp the bar. Obs. or dial.
1774–6. J. Bryant, Mythol., II. 55 (T.). In our island the exhibition of those manly sports in vogue among country people is called Camping: and the inclosures for that purpose, where they wrestle and contend, are called Camping closes.
1856. R. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. VI. viii. 262. Those three tall fellows … fonder of sword-play, wrestling, and camping the bar, than of churchmen or church-going.
b. To strive with others in doing anything, e.g., drinking. Cf. KEMP v.
1587. J. Melvill, Diary (1842), 256. A banquet of wat and dry confectiones, with all sortes of wyne wharat his Majestie camped verie mirrelie a guid whyll.
3. esp. To contend at camp-ball, to play a football match. Cf. CAMPING vbl. sb.1
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 60. Campyn, pedipilo.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 60. Get campers a ball, to campe therewithall. Ibid., 64. In medow or pasture (to growe the more fine) let campers be camping in any of thine.
a. 1684. Sir T. Browne, Tract, viii. Wks. 1836, IV. 205. Words … of common use in Norfolk … as … kamp.
1691. Ray, S. & E. C. Wds. (E. D. S.), Camp, to play at Football. This word … extends over Essex, as well as Norfolk and Suffolk.
1880. P. Birkett, in Standard, 29 Dec., 6/2. Another field, called Camping Close, on which the inhabitants of Haverill, in Essex, used to Camp.
4. intr. To wrangle, scold. Cf. CAMPLE.
1606. Wily Beguiled, in Hazl., Dodsley, IX. 251. She’ll camp, I warrant you. Oh she has a tongue!
1642. [see CAMPING ppl. a.1].
5. trans. To kick (a person) like a foot-ball.
1567. Drant, Horace’ Epist., II. ii. H vij. Lest euen younge folke, seinge you drinke … Do make of you mere mockinge stockes and campe you with theire feete.
