σκῐᾱμᾰχ-έω,
A. fight against a shadow, i.e. an imaginary opponent, and so,spar, Posidon. 16
J. , Plu. 2.130e , Paus. 6.10.3 :πρὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν σκιαμαχῶν sparringwith the sky, 'baying at the moon', Cratin. 17 (lyr.).
II. metaph., Pl. Ap. 18d ; πρὸς ἀλλήλους
Id. R. 520c
; πρὸς ἡμᾶς αὐτούς
Id. Lg. 830c
; πρὸς τὸν οὐκέτι ἐν ζῶσιν ὄντα Πλάτωνα ἐσκιαμάχει
Numen.
ap. Eus. PE 14.6 :— Pass. ,ἔπη μάτην σκιαμαχούμενα thrown out at random in disputations, Luc. Pisc. 35 .—σκιομαχέωis a later form in codd. of Ph. 1.356 , Antyll. ap. Orib. 6.29.3 .