à outrance

adv. (French) "to the utmost", to the very end

(Fr. "with utmost hostility") Indicates a combat of war, not fought for pleasure. Wars would be fought à outrance, as might an emprise , but a friendly passage at arms, such as a pas d’armes , would be fought for pleasure, à plaisir . In an à outrance encounter, the potential for injury or death was higher, as the opponent was viewed more as an enemy than as a friendly opponent. Jousts of War would be fought in this manner, whereas a Joust of Peace would be fought à plaisir.