1.
revenge; vengeance; vendetta
Taking revenge for a wrong done to oneself or one's family. Historically referred to sanctioned revenge killings in feudal Japan. Now used more broadly for any act of getting even.
赤穂浪士の敵討ちは有名だ。
The vendetta of the Ako ronin is famous.
前回の試合の敵討ちを果たしたい。
I want to get revenge for the last match.
江戸時代には、主君の敵討ちが武士の義務とされていた。
In the Edo period, avenging one's lord was considered a samurai's duty.
USAGE:
敵討ち was a legally recognized practice in feudal Japan, where a person could avenge a wrong (usually murder) done to a relative or lord. In modern usage, it is used figuratively, especially in sports (getting revenge for a previous loss).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 敵討ちを果たす (to carry out revenge)
- 敵討ちに燃える (to burn with desire for revenge)
- 親の敵討ち (avenging one's parent)
CULTURE:
The most famous example is the story of the 忠臣蔵 (The 47 Ronin), who avenged their lord's death in 1703. 敵討ち was officially banned by the Meiji government in 1873.