What is "to fight at barriers"

Barrier \Bar"ri*er\, n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barri[`e]re, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.]

1. (Fort.) A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.

2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.

3. pl. A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd.

   No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists.
   --Sir W. Scott.

4. Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack. ``Constitutional barriers.''
   --Hopkinson.

5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.

   'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier!
   --Pope.

   Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier.

   Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive.

   To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] ||