IPA: /ˈdjuːəlɪst/
KK: /ˈdjuːəlɪst/
A person who takes part in a formal fight between two people, usually with weapons, to settle a dispute or challenge.
The two duellists faced each other with swords drawn, ready to fight for their honor.
Duellist is formed from "duel" (from Old French *duel*, meaning a fight or combat between two people) and "-ist" (meaning a person who practices or is concerned with something). A duellist is a person who engages in a duel, typically to settle a dispute or challenge.
Think of a 'duel' as a fight between two people, and the '-ist' means a person involved in that fight. This helps you remember that a duellist is someone who participates in a duel.